Riversdale surf break

Riversdale surfForecast / Wairarapa / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Wednesday 20 May 2026 NZST
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
13.3° C
(Which is 1.2°C colder than average 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 Friday (May 22) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. 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 1.9m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (May 22) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Fri 22nd May)1.5ft (0.4m) 10s
Best Surf 9PM (Mon 25th May)5ft (1.6m) 13s
Most Powerful12AM (Mon 25th May)6ft (1.9m) 18s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
0
0
1
2
3
3
2
3
3
2
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSE
9
0.5
ENE
5
0.4
ENE
5
0.2
S
13
0.3
S
11
0.3
SSE
10
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
12
0.5
SSW
14
1.4
SSW
15
1.5
SSW
14
1.9
S
18
1.8
S
15
1.7
S
14
1.5
S
13
1.3
S
12
1.2
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.4
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
26
14
11
13
22
20
31
64
220
158
108
795
862
2222
1528
1178
782
501
413
198
98
Wind (km/h)
10
N
10
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
10
NW
10
W
5
E
10
NNW
5
WNW
15
SSW
15
SE
10
E
15
ENE
15
NE
15
NNE
15
NNE
10
N
10
N
15
NE
15
NNE
15
NNE
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
cross
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
8:14PM1.71m
8:44AM1.51m
9:11PM1.68m
9:41AM1.48m
10:09PM1.63m
10:39AM1.45m
11:05PM1.57m
11:36AM1.41m
00:01AM1.50m
12:32PM1.38m
00:54AM1.44m
1:25PM1.36m
1:46AM1.38m
Low Tide
2:40AM-0.02m
2:55PM0.01m
3:37AM-0.00m
3:52PM0.03m
4:34AM0.03m
4:49PM0.07m
5:29AM0.06m
5:46PM0.12m
6:23AM0.10m
6:41PM0.16m
7:14AM0.15m
7:35PM0.21m
8:03AM0.18m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:22
7:22
7:24
7:24
7:26
7:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:02
5:01
5:00
5:00
5:00
4:59
4:58
4:58
1
1
6
18
Temp °C
16
11
15
16
13
14
15
13
15
14
14
13
13
12
15
16
13
17
17
13
15
13
8
11
13
12
13
15
11
13
11
12
10
10
9
12
13
11
14
14
11
13
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSE
9
0.5
ENE
5
0.4
ENE
5
0.4
NE
6
0.4
NE
5
0.3
SSE
10
0.6
S
5
0.4
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
12
0.6
SSW
10
1.4
SSW
15
1.5
SSW
14
1.9
S
18
1.8
S
15
1.7
S
14
1.5
S
13
1.3
S
12
1.2
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.5
ENE
10
Energy kJ
26
14
11
8
7
20
18
64
220
158
82
795
862
2222
1528
1178
782
501
413
198
52
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
ENE
4
0.2
SSE
8
0.2
SSE
10
0.2
SSE
10
0.3
S
11
0.4
NE
6
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SSW
7
0.4
NE
10
0.5
NE
12
0.5
NE
10
0.7
NE
12
1
ENE
11
0.9
ENE
11
0.8
ENE
10
0.8
ENE
10
0.7
NE
10
0.8
ENE
10
0.7
NE
10
0.6
ENE
10
0.6
S
10
Energy kJ
4
7
9
10
22
8
31
18
25
65
52
144
234
196
141
133
104
127
102
64
80
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
ENE
9
0.2
ENE
8
0.1
NE
9
0.2
S
13
0.1
E
12
0.1
S
16
0.3
NE
6
0.3
SSE
4
0.2
ENE
13
0.1
SE
12
0.5
SSW
14
0.2
SSE
12
0.6
ENE
5
0.4
SSW
13
0.3
SSW
12
0.5
SSW
12
0.4
SSW
16
Energy kJ
8
7
3
13
3
5
5
4
16
5
108
14
17
69
29
85
98
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
NE
4
0.2
NNW
2
0.2
NNW
2
0.4
SW
4
0.4
NNE
5
0.3
SW
3
0.6
SSE
4
0.6
ESE
4
0.4
ENE
4
0.5
NE
4
0.5
NE
4
0.6
NE
6
0.4
NE
4
0.6
NE
6
Energy kJ
11
1
1
3
11
2
11
12
5
8
9
24
7
29
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
2
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
Distance (km)
4
168
236
236
106
63
0
0
0
162
80
64
82
64
53
63
0
0
4
53
53
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
2
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
2
4
4
4
3
4
5
8
4
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
5
4
5
5
7
6
5
5
8
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
  • 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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