Lighthouse Reef surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Thursday 05 Mar 2026 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
16.6° C
(Which is 2.8°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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Mar 05) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 11s period. 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 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 09) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 15s period and expected on Friday (Mar 06) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Thu 5th Mar)2.5ft (0.8m) 11s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 12th Mar)4.5ft (1.4m) 6s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 9th Mar)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s

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 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
ESE
0.8
E
0.8
E
0.7
E
0.6
E
0.5
E
0.4
ESE
0.4
ESE
0.4
ESE
0.2
SSE
0.2
SSE
0.8
SSE
0.8
SSE
1.1
S
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
1.2
ENE
0.4
SE
1.4
ENE
Period(s) (?)11111110101099916165166141413126116
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)187154149100714728282624242832677544945398133150
Wind
(km/h)
5
NNE
15
ENE
10
NW
5
WNW
10
W
20
S
0
NE
15
ESE
0
WSW
0
ESE
25
SSE
20
SSW
25
S
10
SSE
5
NNW
10
N
25
ENE
20
NNE
5
N
20
ENE
15
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
offcross-
off
crossglassonglassglasscross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:55PM
2.14
6:05AM
2.16
6:43PM
2.09
6:37AM
2.08
7:30PM
2.03
7:18AM
2.04
8:19PM
1.98
8:14AM
2.02
9:15PM
1.94
9:22AM
2.02
10:17PM
1.95
10:33AM
2.00
11:15PM
2.01
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:38AM
0.63
12:01AM
0.63
12:20PM
0.59
12:48AM
0.71
1:03PM
0.57
1:30AM
0.77
1:51PM
0.60
2:13AM
0.82
2:44PM
0.67
2:59AM
0.88
3:44PM
0.75
3:56AM
0.94
4:43PM
0.80
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Sunrise7:16--7:16--7:18--7:20--7:20--7:22--7:24--
Sunset-8:15--8:14--8:12--8:09--8:07--8:06--8:05-
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-----------1021-------
Temp. °C182017242723171614151513111111131512161717
Feels °C (?)1617172226211614141211968109107141413
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 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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