Surf Forecasts:
Lighthouse Reef surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, ESE swell with 474 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period with NE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Lighthouse Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Lighthouse Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lighthouse Reef in the next 16 days are 1.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lighthouse Reef over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s see what’s brewing at Lighthouse Reef.
The first few days are a total bust. Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are flat and messy – don’t even bother. Wednesday the 15th has a tiny 0.3m SSE swell, but it’s weak and the period is long, so it’ll be gutless.
Things perk up a touch on Friday the 17th. A 0.6m ESE swell with a 16-second period shows up in the morning, and the wind is offshore from the west. It’s clean, and the energy is moderate (295). The afternoon bumps up to 0.8m, still clean. It’s small but rideable.
The real moment is Saturday the 18th. The morning is the best of the whole run. A 1.0m ESE swell, 15-second period, and a clean offshore wind from the WNW. The combined energy is strong (532). That’s a proper, lined-up reef wave. It’s not huge, so it’s good for most, but the quality is there. The afternoon gets a bit cross-choppy, so hit the early session.
Sunday the 19th is still a good one. 0.9m in the morning with offshore wind, and the afternoon turns glassy. Super clean, shoulder-high waves that’ll be a joy to ride.
Monday the 20th keeps it going with 0.6m to 0.7m, glassy conditions, and a very long 18-second period from the SSE. That’s proper groundswell, clean and easy.
After that, the week from Tuesday the 21st fades. The swell drops, the energy weakens, and by the 23rd and 24th, it’s back to tiny, ordinary surf. The 28th has a tiny 0.7m easterly wave with glassy conditions, but it’s short period and weak.
The call: Saturday morning, 18th July, is the standout. Grab the clean, 1.0m ESE swell with offshore wind and good energy. The weekend before that is also worth a look, but Saturday is the best.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 5°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri afternoon, min 5°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the S by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sun 19 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | E 9 | NE 5 | E 7 | E 9 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | SSE 16 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 | ESE 16 | SSE 15 | ESE 16 | ESE 17 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 19 | 17 | 35 | 23 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 51 | 15 | 33 | 37 | 51 | 153 | 193 | 321 | 377 | 455 | 394 | 328 | 309 | 192 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross | cross-off | off | glassy |
High Tide | 1:23AM2.40m | 2:05PM2.44m | 2:15AM2.49m | 3:07PM2.51m | 3:05AM2.52m | 4:10PM2.55m | 4:02AM2.49m | 5:10PM2.55m | 5:10AM2.42m | 6:05PM2.49m | 6:19AM2.33m | 6:59PM2.37m | 7:20AM2.23m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:38AM0.60m | 8:14PM0.58m | 8:36AM0.56m | 9:06PM0.57m | 9:33AM0.49m | 10:01PM0.59m | 10:31AM0.44m | 10:57PM0.61m | 11:31AM0.43m | 11:53PM0.63m | 12:31PM0.46m | 00:49AM0.64m | 1:28PM0.53m | ||||||||
 |  | |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | |
 | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — |
 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 5 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 |
Feels °C | 1 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | E 7 | ENE 6 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | E 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | SSE 15 | ESE 16 | ESE 17 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 |
| kJ | 14 | 10 | 9 | 23 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 30 | 15 | 33 | 37 | 34 | 144 | 193 | 321 | 377 | 455 | 394 | 328 | 309 | 192 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 16 | SSE 16 | E 6 | E 4 | E 4 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | SSE 8 | SSE 11 | SSE 8 | SSE 20 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SE 15 |
| kJ | 19 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 26 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 51 | 153 | 25 | 76 | 23 | 77 | 60 | 53 | 51 | 104 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 3 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | S 12 | S 18 | S 18 | E 10 | SSE 16 | SE 17 | SE 16 | S 16 | SSE 8 | NNE 6 | SSE 14 | S 16 | S 15 | S 20 | SSE 22 | SE 21 | S 16 | SSE 20 |
| kJ | 1 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 51 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 77 | 5 | 17 | 200 | 47 | 71 | 183 | 37 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 3 | — | NE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 86 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 136 | 0 | 87 | 150 | 150 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 141 | 0 | 109 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Lighthouse Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Lighthouse Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Lighthouse Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Lighthouse Reef 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 (Lighthouse Reef) 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 Lighthouse Reef 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.
Lighthouse Reef is 4 km (2 miles) from the city of Timaru. If you plan a holiday in Canterbury, look for hotels and other accommodation in Timaru. Timaru has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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