Lighthouse Reef surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Sunday 15 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
15.9° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 16) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Lighthouse Reef in the next 16 days are 0.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 16) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 7s period and expected on Monday (Mar 23) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 16th Mar)2ft (0.6m) 16s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 16th Mar)2ft (0.6m) 16s
Most Powerful 1AM (Mon 16th Mar)2ft (0.6m) 16s

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 19°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
SSE
0.6
SSE
0.5
SSE
0.4
SSE
1.1
SE
0.3
SSE
0.3
SSE
1.1
ENE
0.6
E
0.5
E
0.7
SE
0.4
E
0.2
SSE
0.5
SSE
0.2
SSE
0.3
SSE
0.2
E
0.2
SSE
0.4
E
0.4
E
0.4
E
Period(s) (?)1716161651111567681010101071410109
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)11218114797492522712824341811571020818333028
Wind
(km/h)
20
E
5
NNW
10
NNW
20
ENE
10
ESE
5
SSW
20
ENE
15
N
10
NNW
15
SE
10
ESE
10
N
20
ENE
15
SSW
10
S
15
E
5
NNW
10
N
15
ENE
10
N
5
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
glasscross-
off
cross-
on
onglasscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
ononcross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
oncross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
glass
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:05AM
2.17
2:26PM
1.95
2:44AM
2.18
3:03PM
2.01
3:25AM
2.21
3:45PM
2.06
4:07AM
2.23
4:32PM
2.10
4:50AM
2.23
5:24PM
2.13
5:33AM
2.20
6:19PM
2.16
6:19AM
2.14
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:44PM
0.71
8:31AM
0.66
8:22PM
0.62
9:03AM
0.54
9:03PM
0.51
9:40AM
0.44
9:47PM
0.42
10:24AM
0.38
10:38PM
0.38
11:13AM
0.36
11:34PM
0.39
12:03PM
0.37
12:32AM
0.45
12:53PM
0.42
Sun
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunrise--7:30--7:31--7:33--7:33--7:35--7:37--7:37
Sunset7:57--7:55--7:53--7:52--7:50--7:47--7:45--
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C181419191415161618161215151414141316171520
Feels °C (?)14121615111413131613913121412111214151519
  • 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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