Riversdale surf break

Riversdale surfForecast / Wairarapa / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Monday 20 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
16.1° 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 Monday (Apr 20) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 5.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Apr 26) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Mon 20th Apr)2.5ft (0.8m) 8s
Best Surf 3PM (Wed 22nd Apr)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful12PM (Tue 21st Apr)16ft (5.0m) 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 53mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
!
2
3
0
3
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
ENE
1.7
S
4.5
S
5
SSE
5
SSE
3.5
S
4
SSE
3
SE
2.3
SE
2
SE
1.8
SE
1.6
SE
1.3
SE
1.1
SE
0.8
SE
0.7
S
0.6
S
0.7
S
0.6
S
0.5
S
0.5
SSW
Period(s) (?)871010101010111010101098888109912
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)64250385445584473213531861717102482066745029417780604887553681
Wind
(km/h)
15
SW
5
SSE
45
S
45
S
45
S
40
S
35
S
35
SSW
20
S
15
SSW
15
S
5
SSW
5
SW
10
E
5
NW
5
NNW
10
NE
15
NNW
30
NW
35
WNW
15
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
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
11:24PM
1.59
11:55AM
1.42
12:21AM
1.54
12:51PM
1.39
1:16AM
1.49
Low Tide
/ height (m)
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
5:49AM
0.07
6:04PM
0.11
6:44AM
0.10
7:00PM
0.14
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Sunrise6:50--6:50--6:52--6:52--6:54--6:54--6:56--
Sunset-5:37--5:36--5:35--5:32--5:31--5:30--5:29-
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-221156422111---------4
Temp. °C161613111111111011121311131210131412161612
Feels °C (?)1416722222479811108111171098
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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