Riversdale surf break

Riversdale surfForecast / Wairarapa / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Friday 17 Apr 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
15.9° 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 Sunday (Apr 19) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 Wednesday (Apr 22) 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 0.6m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 18) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sun 19th Apr)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 22nd Apr)13ft (4.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 9AM (Wed 22nd Apr)13ft (4.0m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the ESE by Mon afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Wed afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Wed afternoon).

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Fri
24
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
1
2
1
0
0
2
3
4
3
!
!
!
0
1
1
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
S
0.6
S
0.6
NE
1.8
NE
1.5
ENE
1.2
ENE
0.9
ENE
0.8
ENE
1.7
ESE
1.6
ENE
1.5
SE
2.1
SE
2.2
SSE
4
SSW
3.5
S
3
S
2.5
S
2.3
S
1.8
SSE
3.5
S
3
S
Period(s) (?)89689910106799101010101010101010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)9252313934042261641031782543427508693504240416001273102460321961647
Wind
(km/h)
25
NNW
25
NNW
25
NNW
25
NNW
20
NW
10
NW
5
S
25
SE
35
ESE
5
NW
5
WNW
0
N
10
SW
25
SW
40
SW
30
SW
35
SSW
30
S
25
S
15
S
20
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
onglassglassglasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:19AM
1.48
5:46PM
1.54
6:13AM
1.50
6:40PM
1.60
7:09AM
1.51
7:36PM
1.64
8:05AM
1.51
8:32PM
1.66
9:02AM
1.50
9:29PM
1.65
10:00AM
1.47
10:27PM
1.63
10:57AM
1.45
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:07PM
0.09
11:32AM
0.08
12:05AM
0.05
12:26PM
0.05
1:02AM
0.02
1:21PM
0.04
2:00AM
0.01
2:17PM
0.03
2:58AM
0.01
3:14PM
0.04
3:55AM
0.02
4:11PM
0.06
4:52AM
0.05
5:08PM
0.08
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Fri
24
Sunrise-6:48--6:48--6:50--6:50--6:52--6:52--6:54-
Sunset--5:40--5:38--5:37--5:36--5:35--5:32--5:31
cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
clear
cloud
mod rain
light rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
--117--63113-2-224322--
Temp. °C161817161818141516141616121312121212121312
Feels °C (?)121413121616111011131616995666787
  • 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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