Lighthouse Reef surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Wednesday 24 Dec 2025 NZDT
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
15.2° C
(Which is 2.5°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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 24) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s 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 12 days are 1.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Dec 25) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Wed 24th Dec)2ft (0.6m) 10s
Best Surf 7AM (Wed 24th Dec)2ft (0.6m) 10s
Most Powerful 7AM (Wed 31st Dec)5ft (1.5m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lighthouse Reef over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 49mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tue
30
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.7
SE
0.6
SE
0.4
SE
1.1
ENE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.3
SE
0.3
SE
0.2
ESE
0.6
SSE
0.3
SE
0.5
E
0.6
E
0.4
ESE
0.7
ESE
1.1
E
0.6
ESE
0.6
E
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.9
ESE
Period(s) (?)1010951010981144344455510109
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)10057285636331412111245124186717162529132
Wind
(km/h)
10
NE
10
WNW
15
SE
15
NNW
30
NW
25
WNW
10
NW
5
WNW
35
WNW
10
W
10
NE
25
E
10
ENE
20
E
30
E
5
SSE
20
ESE
20
SE
15
SSE
15
S
15
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
offoncross-
off
offoffoffglassoffcross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
ononcross-
on
cross-
on
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:46AM
2.15
6:47PM
2.06
7:36AM
2.12
7:50PM
2.03
8:29AM
2.09
8:47PM
2.04
9:19AM
2.06
9:41PM
2.07
10:08AM
2.06
10:40PM
2.10
10:58AM
2.10
11:41PM
2.15
11:52AM
2.16
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:32AM
0.79
1:06PM
0.86
1:22AM
0.78
1:52PM
0.84
2:17AM
0.73
2:41PM
0.80
3:08AM
0.69
3:33PM
0.75
3:57AM
0.67
4:26PM
0.67
4:48AM
0.68
5:19PM
0.60
5:47AM
0.70
6:12PM
0.56
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tue
30
Sunrise-5:47--5:48--5:48--5:48--5:50--5:50--5:50-
Sunset--9:20--9:20--9:21--9:21--9:21--9:21--9:22
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-----------181071652-1-
Temp. °C141918142021151820121415131414131314131313
Feels °C (?)131615121516101611891010109129119910
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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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