Riversdale surf break

Riversdale surfForecast / Wairarapa / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Wednesday 18 Mar 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Riversdale surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Riversdale sea temperature is
16.8° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Riversdale this week:

The surf forecast for Riversdale over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Mar 18) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Riversdale in the next 16 days are 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Mar 20) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Thursday (Mar 19) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Wed 18th Mar)1.5ft (0.5m) 10s
Best Surf 1AM (Sat 21st Mar)7ft (2.1m) 11s
Most Powerful 1PM (Fri 20th Mar)8ft (2.5m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riversdale over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
0
1
1
2
4
2
1
2
2
0
2
1
0
1
2
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
NE
0.5
S
1.1
S
1.1
SSE
1.1
ENE
2.4
ENE
2.3
ENE
2.1
E
1.9
E
1.4
ESE
1.2
SE
1.3
ESE
1.3
ESE
1.2
SE
1.1
SE
1
SE
0.9
SE
0.7
SE
0.5
ESE
0.6
ESE
0.6
ESE
Period(s) (?)61165111211111010999991099141313
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1186274713071578125299971634923727629524220317712584111135125
Wind
(km/h)
5
N
20
SSW
20
SE
15
SE
10
SSE
15
S
25
S
10
SW
10
SSW
10
SSE
0
NW
0
SSW
10
ESE
5
NNE
10
NNE
15
ENE
15
NNE
10
NNE
20
NE
15
NNE
15
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscrosscross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
glassglassonglasscrosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:57AM
1.44
6:21PM
1.38
6:47AM
1.46
7:11PM
1.44
7:38AM
1.48
8:03PM
1.49
8:30AM
1.48
8:56PM
1.54
9:24AM
1.48
9:51PM
1.57
10:19AM
1.47
10:46PM
1.58
11:16AM
1.46
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:40PM
0.17
12:14PM
0.16
12:33AM
0.13
1:03PM
0.13
1:26AM
0.10
1:53PM
0.10
2:21AM
0.08
2:45PM
0.08
3:17AM
0.06
3:38PM
0.08
4:13AM
0.06
4:32PM
0.08
5:10AM
0.07
Wed
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Sunrise--7:16--7:16--7:18--7:18--7:20--7:20--7:22
Sunset7:31--7:30--7:29--7:27--7:24--7:22--7:22--
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
--22-1---------------
Temp. °C241716171616171416151216151316161418171516
Feels °C (?)231614161614131214131215131213131215141313
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Riversdale Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Riversdale provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Riversdale can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Riversdale surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Riversdale) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Riversdale may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Riversdale is 38 km (24 miles) from Masterton. If you plan a holiday in The Wairarapa, look for hotels and other accommodation in Masterton. Masterton has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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