Lighthouse Reef surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Wednesday 08 Apr 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Lighthouse Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Lighthouse Reef sea temperature is
15.8° C
(Which is 3.5°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

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 Thursday (Apr 09) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Lighthouse Reef in the next 16 days are 1.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 13) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Apr 15) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Thu 9th Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 10s
Best Surf 3AM (Thu 9th Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 10s
Most Powerful 3PM (Mon 13th Apr)5ft (1.5m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
2
2
2
2
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
E
1.1
E
0.9
E
0.8
E
0.7
E
0.5
E
0.5
E
1.1
NE
1.3
ENE
1.7
ENE
1
E
1
E
1
E
0.9
E
0.8
E
1.5
E
1.3
E
1
E
0.9
ESE
0.6
E
0.3
ESE
Period(s) (?)10111010109956889991013121010913
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)325267172125874242551373481381621661321167604642211636033
Wind
(km/h)
15
NW
10
WNW
10
NNW
15
SSE
10
WSW
10
E
15
NE
15
NNE
10
N
15
NE
10
NNW
5
W
10
SE
10
WSW
0
W
10
SE
0
W
5
NW
15
E
5
WNW
25
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offoffcross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
oncross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
off
offoncross-
off
glassonglasscross-
off
onoffcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:40PM
1.97
8:51AM
2.05
9:38PM
2.03
9:56AM
1.97
10:25PM
2.07
10:49AM
1.92
11:05PM
2.09
11:33AM
1.91
11:43PM
2.09
12:11PM
1.96
12:23AM
2.09
12:49PM
2.03
1:07AM
2.12
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:16AM
0.99
3:09PM
0.87
3:31AM
1.03
4:00PM
0.88
4:45AM
0.98
4:45PM
0.85
5:35AM
0.87
5:27PM
0.77
6:10AM
0.74
6:09PM
0.65
6:41AM
0.60
6:51PM
0.51
7:16AM
0.48
Wed
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Sunrise--7:01--7:01--7:03--7:03--7:05--7:07--7:07
Sunset6:13--6:10--6:08--6:07--6:06--6:04--6:01--
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-------------------91
Temp. °C221721181513131214171416151415151314141111
Feels °C (?)1814201514101010111491212131313121211103
  • 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 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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