Lighthouse Reef surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Saturday 11 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
15.9° C
(Which is 3.8°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 Sunday (Apr 12) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s. 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 1.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 13) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Apr 14) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sun 12th Apr)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Best Surf12AM (Sun 12th Apr)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 13th Apr)4.5ft (1.4m) 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. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
2
1
0
2
0
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
ENE
1.9
ENE
1.1
E
1
E
0.9
E
1
E
1.4
E
1.3
E
1
E
0.8
E
0.6
E
0.4
ESE
0.4
ESE
0.5
E
0.5
E
0.6
SSE
0.4
SSE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.2
ESE
0.4
ENE
Period(s) (?)889109121312111091312121112989137
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1924802051771372686434802381276155497263983018191618
Wind
(km/h)
10
NE
15
NNE
10
NNW
5
SSE
25
SSW
10
N
20
ENE
10
WNW
10
W
15
NW
10
SW
10
NNW
15
NNW
15
WNW
15
WNW
15
ESE
15
NNW
5
NW
10
NNE
10
W
10
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
glasscrosscross-
off
cross-
on
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoncross-
off
offcrossoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
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
1:31PM
2.11
1:53AM
2.17
2:17PM
2.17
2:39AM
2.22
3:07PM
2.21
3:24AM
2.25
Low Tide
/ height (m)
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
7:35PM
0.40
7:57AM
0.40
8:24PM
0.34
8:47AM
0.37
9:18PM
0.33
9:42AM
0.38
Sat
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Sunrise--7:03--7:05--7:07--7:07--7:09--7:11--7:11
Sunset6:07--6:06--6:04--6:01--6:00--5:59--5:57--
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
Rain (mm)
--------------------4
Temp. °C181318181516171316171215181114141014161314
Feels °C (?)151116171212131212138111461110613141012
  • 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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