Surf Forecasts:
Riversdale surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with 7,898 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period with ENE 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riversdale in the next 16 days are 4.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3PM. 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riversdale over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat morning, min 4°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the SSW by Sun morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Thu morning, min 6°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 9 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
422 | 366 | 299 | 1965 | 3512 | 2330 | 1437 | 1463 | 493 | 256 | 1781 | 4391 | 4157 | 7898 | 4966 | 2000 | 1190 | 1019 | 941 | 875 | 575 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 7:09PM1.59m | 7:36AM1.47m | 8:02PM1.53m | 8:29AM1.45m | 8:54PM1.47m | 9:21AM1.43m | 9:45PM1.41m | 10:12AM1.41m | 10:36PM1.35m | 11:02AM1.38m | 11:25PM1.31m | 11:50AM1.36m | 00:13AM1.27m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:55PM0.02m | 1:31AM0.04m | 1:50PM0.05m | 2:23AM0.07m | 2:45PM0.10m | 3:13AM0.11m | 3:38PM0.15m | 4:02AM0.16m | 4:29PM0.20m | 4:49AM0.22m | 5:19PM0.25m | 5:36AM0.26m | 6:08PM0.29m | ||||||||
7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | 3 | 7 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 8 | -2 | -2 | -1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | -2 | -1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | E 9 | ESE 10 | E 10 | SE 13 | S 15 | S 14 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 |
273 | 366 | 299 | 243 | 194 | 136 | 219 | 1255 | 493 | 256 | 193 | 50 | 28 | 5681 | 3294 | 1227 | 1190 | 1019 | 941 | 875 | 575 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSW 18 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | S 20 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | E 11 | SE 8 | ESE 13 | — | — | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | ESE 12 |
8 | 103 | 68 | 15 | 68 | 293 | 344 | 305 | 319 | 100 | 17 | — | — | 27 | 37 | 19 | 27 | 258 | 508 | 134 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSW 18 | SE 10 | — | — | ESE 16 | — | SSW 14 | — | ESE 13 | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | — |
17 | 17 | 254 | 4 | — | — | 24 | — | 223 | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | 29 | 30 | 27 | 25 | 23 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | — | SW 3 | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 9 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | N 4 |
422 | — | 8 | 1965 | 3512 | 2330 | 1437 | 1463 | 125 | 220 | 1781 | 4391 | 4157 | 7898 | 4966 | 2000 | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 64 | 87 | 162 | 301 | 331 | 106 | 106 | 235 | 9 | 162 | 283 | 283 | 106 | 182 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











