Surf Forecasts:
Riversdale surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, S swell with 3,250 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period with SSW swell.
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 (Aug 26) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riversdale in the next 16 days are 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riversdale over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, strong winds from the SSW by Sun afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 10 | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
612 | 289 | 554 | 376 | 745 | 2385 | 2475 | 1243 | 594 | 420 | 160 | 170 | 151 | 80 | 64 | 49 | 2422 | 3250 | 1624 | 1723 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | off |
High Tide | 3:17AM1.24m | 3:42PM1.37m | 4:02AM1.25m | 4:27PM1.38m | 4:48AM1.27m | 5:12PM1.39m | 5:33AM1.29m | 5:57PM1.40m | 6:19AM1.32m | 6:43PM1.41m | 7:06AM1.35m | 7:30PM1.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:14PM0.31m | 9:23AM0.28m | 10:00PM0.29m | 10:09AM0.26m | 10:46PM0.27m | 10:55AM0.23m | 11:31PM0.24m | 11:42AM0.21m | 00:16AM0.22m | 12:30PM0.20m | 1:01AM0.20m | 1:19PM0.18m | 1:47AM0.18m | |||||||
— | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
Feels °C | 12 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 5 | -1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 10 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 16 | S 14 |
612 | 289 | 554 | 376 | 745 | 2385 | 2475 | 1243 | 594 | 420 | 160 | 170 | 151 | 80 | 64 | 49 | 12 | 8 | 793 | 1723 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | S 17 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | S 7 | ESE 11 | — | SE 15 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 6 | SSW 9 | SSE 10 | — | — | NE 10 | ENE 9 |
17 | 217 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 159 | 12 | — | 9 | 64 | 53 | 39 | 31 | 20 | 30 | 18 | — | — | 14 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | ESE 12 | N 5 | SE 14 | E 10 | ESE 11 | — | — | — | SE 15 | SSE 14 | SW 11 | SE 13 | SSW 11 | SSE 10 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | — |
1 | 15 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 13 | — | — | — | 8 | 67 | 32 | 26 | 22 | 33 | 14 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | NW 2 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | WSW 4 | — | — | NE 5 | NE 6 | N 3 | NNW 3 | — | — | — | NW 3 | SW 4 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | — |
9 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 18 | — | — | 36 | 39 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | 9 | 16 | 2422 | 3250 | 1624 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 213 | 82 | 82 | 63 | 53 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 91 | 287 | 213 | 91 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











