
Surf Forecasts:
Riversdale surf forecast from 23 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 29 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 30 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 5,130 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 24 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period with S 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 Thursday (Sep 24) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 30) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 27) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Thu 24th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Tue 29th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 30th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riversdale over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 5°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Sun morning, calm by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 24 | Friday 25 | Saturday 26 | Sunday 27 | Monday 28 | Tuesday 29 | Wednesday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 17 | S 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
471 | 407 | 276 | 720 | 492 | 298 | 235 | 198 | 177 | 140 | 152 | 439 | 219 | 504 | 1439 | 1887 | 4907 | 3860 | 3617 | 5130 | 2374 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:04PM1.35m | 3:26AM1.26m | 3:50PM1.37m | 4:13AM1.30m | 4:37PM1.39m | 5:01AM1.35m | 5:25PM1.41m | 5:49AM1.40m | 6:14PM1.42m | 6:38AM1.45m | 7:04PM1.43m | 7:29AM1.50m | 7:56PM1.44m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:21PM0.27m | 9:33AM0.25m | 10:07PM0.24m | 10:22AM0.22m | 10:53PM0.21m | 11:12AM0.18m | 11:40PM0.18m | 12:03PM0.15m | 00:28AM0.15m | 12:56PM0.13m | 1:18AM0.13m | 1:49PM0.11m | 2:09AM0.12m | ||||||||
6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | |
— | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 |
Feels °C | 7 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 10 | -1 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 17 | S 14 |
471 | 407 | 276 | 720 | 492 | 298 | 235 | 198 | 177 | 140 | 152 | 439 | 219 | 504 | 1439 | 1887 | 4907 | 3860 | 3617 | 5130 | 2374 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | ESE 13 | SSE 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 15 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | SSW 13 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | — | — |
51 | 46 | 157 | 34 | 58 | 184 | 178 | 183 | 110 | 70 | 56 | 219 | 136 | 84 | 98 | 791 | 35 | 13 | 13 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 16 | ESE 12 | SE 8 | — | E 18 | ENE 4 | ESE 15 | NW 4 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | ESE 12 | — | ESE 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
10 | 9 | 10 | 25 | 47 | 16 | — | 6 | 2 | 85 | 1 | 21 | 34 | 50 | — | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NW 3 | NW 4 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 8 | 21 | 133 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 159 | 168 | 9 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 9 | 9 | 82 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










