Surf Forecasts:
Riversdale surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 5,893 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period with S 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riversdale in the next 16 days are 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riversdale over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 4°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Tue night, fresh winds from the WNW by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
188 | 104 | 50 | 127 | 232 | 1670 | 1556 | 2090 | 3874 | 5199 | 3468 | 5532 | 4949 | 1977 | 747 | 341 | 151 | 28 | 36 | 245 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 5:57PM1.40m | 6:19AM1.32m | 6:43PM1.41m | 7:06AM1.35m | 7:30PM1.41m | 7:53AM1.38m | 8:18PM1.40m | 8:43AM1.42m | 9:08PM1.40m | 9:34AM1.46m | 10:00PM1.40m | 10:27AM1.49m | 10:54PM1.40m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:16AM0.22m | 12:30PM0.20m | 1:01AM0.20m | 1:19PM0.18m | 1:47AM0.18m | 2:09PM0.17m | 2:34AM0.17m | 3:00PM0.16m | 3:22AM0.16m | 3:53PM0.15m | 4:13AM0.16m | 4:48PM0.15m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 9 | S 10 | SSW 9 |
188 | 104 | 50 | 127 | 232 | 1670 | 1556 | 2090 | 2346 | 3107 | 3468 | 5532 | 4949 | 1977 | 747 | 341 | 151 | 28 | 17 | 245 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 7 | SSW 13 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 11 | ENE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 |
32 | 23 | 28 | 25 | 109 | 21 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 36 | 24 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | NE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | — | SE 12 | — | — | NE 10 | — | — | — | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | NE 8 |
43 | 21 | 33 | 18 | 12 | 5 | 5 | — | 5 | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 19 | 13 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 3 | — | W 3 | WSW 4 | WNW 3 | W 4 | W 3 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | W 4 | W 3 |
— | 1 | — | 5 | 9 | 5 | 17 | 2 | 3874 | 5199 | — | — | — | 5 | 15 | 21 | 12 | 21 | 42 | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 210 | 210 | 26 | 91 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 159 | 159 | 9 | 159 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live 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.











