Riversdale surf break

Riversdale surfForecast / Wairarapa / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Wednesday 13 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
14.4° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 (May 13) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 3.0m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s is also forecast. 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 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 13) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (May 19) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 13th May)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Best Surf 9AM (Wed 13th May)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 9AM (Wed 13th May)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
2
3
1
3
4
2
3
1
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
SSW
14
3.5
SSW
13
2.5
S
13
2.5
SSW
12
2
S
11
1.7
S
9
1.9
S
15
1.9
S
14
1.7
S
13
1.6
S
12
1.4
S
11
1.3
S
11
1.2
S
11
1
SSE
9
1.1
S
9
0.9
S
9
0.7
SSE
9
0.7
S
9
0.6
S
9
0.5
SSE
9
0.3
ENE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
5026
4668
2364
2081
907
471
1697
1463
971
722
502
408
319
177
217
127
82
76
60
45
23
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
25
SSW
15
SSW
20
SSW
20
SSW
10
SW
10
SW
15
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
10
S
15
SSE
15
SSE
10
SSE
5
SE
5
ESE
5
NNW
10
N
10
NNE
10
WNW
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
High Tide
1:45PM1.31m
2:08AM1.39m
2:37PM1.39m
3:02AM1.42m
3:31PM1.48m
3:57AM1.46m
4:27PM1.56m
4:54AM1.49m
5:23PM1.63m
5:51AM1.51m
6:19PM1.68m
6:48AM1.53m
7:16PM1.71m
Low Tide
7:53PM0.21m
8:23AM0.17m
8:49PM0.17m
9:15AM0.12m
9:46PM0.11m
10:09AM0.08m
10:45PM0.06m
11:05AM0.04m
11:44PM0.02m
12:01PM0.01m
00:43AM-0.01m
12:59PM-0.00m
1:42AM-0.02m
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:13
7:15
7:16
7:16
7:18
7:18
7:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:08
5:07
5:07
5:06
5:05
5:04
5:04
2
Temp °C
12
12
12
12
12
10
11
10
10
10
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
10
12
15
11
7
7
9
8
8
7
8
6
7
6
7
8
8
8
8
9
9
8
9
12
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SSW
14
3
S
13
2.5
S
13
2.2
S
12
0.4
ENE
9
1.7
S
9
1.9
S
15
1.9
S
14
1.7
S
13
1.6
S
12
1.4
S
11
1.3
S
11
1.2
S
11
1
SSE
9
1.1
S
9
0.9
S
9
0.7
SSE
9
0.7
S
9
0.6
S
9
0.5
SSE
9
0.4
SSE
8
Energy kJ
3151
2959
2364
1369
28
471
1697
1463
971
722
502
408
319
177
217
127
82
76
60
45
23
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
E
10
0.5
E
10
0.5
S
20
0.4
ENE
9
0.1
SE
13
0.4
ENE
9
0.4
ENE
9
0.4
ENE
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.5
E
11
0.5
ENE
11
0.5
ENE
11
0.5
E
10
0.5
SSW
11
0.4
ENE
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.4
SSW
8
0.3
ENE
9
0.3
ENE
4
0.3
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
11
Energy kJ
71
49
194
29
7
28
28
30
34
62
66
64
52
66
33
31
24
17
4
20
22
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
24
0.4
SSW
22
0.5
E
10
0.2
SSE
14
0.1
SE
13
0.1
SE
12
0.1
S
24
0.1
S
22
0.1
S
19
0.1
S
18
0.4
ENE
10
0.3
SSW
16
0.3
SSW
14
0.4
ENE
9
0.2
SSW
12
0.3
ENE
10
0.2
ENE
4
0.2
E
5
Energy kJ
44
154
46
18
6
6
11
9
7
6
33
51
41
29
15
20
2
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
SSW
14
3.5
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
12
2
S
11
0.3
E
4
0.5
ENE
4
0.2
NNW
2
Energy kJ
5026
4668
2081
907
3
12
1
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
1
4
3
1
3
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
26
106
26
26
194
0
0
91
91
91
180
26
26
26
26
26
83
0
0
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa
Rating
(10 max)
8
4
3
3
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
7
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
8
9
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
4
4
5
4
4
6
5
5
5
  • 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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