Surf Forecasts:
Lighthouse Reef surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, ESE swell with 411 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with ESE swell.
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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. 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 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 09) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lighthouse Reef over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s in store for Lighthouse Reef.
Water temp is sitting at about 50°, which is just a hair above what you’d expect for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.
The first proper chance to get wet doesn’t come until Friday, July 10th. The days before that – Tuesday through Thursday – are small and scrappy. The wind is mostly cross-off from the southwest, but the swell has short period and the conditions are just marginal. Save your energy.
Friday morning, July 10th, we finally get a clean window. There’s a 4ft easterly swell with a 10-second period, and the wind swings offshore out of the WNW at only 6 mph. Wave energy is moderate (328). Friday afternoon is even better with near-calm offshore wind and 3ft easterly swell. Clean, smooth, and surfable.
Saturday, July 11th stays small with 2ft waves and a clean offshore NW breeze in the morning, but the energy is anemic (165). A longboard day if you’re desperate.
The real standout is the weekend of July 18th and 19th. That’s the one to circle. Saturday, July 18th morning shows a clean 5ft ESE groundswell with a 12-second period, offshore WNW wind at 6 mph, and serious wave energy (754). This is the best on offer – clean, powerful, and well-shaped. Saturday afternoon holds 5ft from the SE with light wind.
Sunday, July 19th keeps the streak alive. Morning has 5ft ESE swell with light offshore wind, and the afternoon actually goes glassy – 4ft of clean, glassy surf with no wind at all. That is about as perfect as Lighthouse Reef gets.
This spot is for advanced surfers only, it’s inconsistent, and it’s exposed to the east and northeast, so these easterly swells are what it’s built for. The crowd factor is “sometimes,” so you might see a few heads, but nothing crazy. At over 5ft, it’s not a beginner wave. The longer 12 to 13-second period means more powerful sets and cleaner lines, but longer lulls between them.
It’s a long wait, but that second weekend in July is shaping up to be something special.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Wed morning, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Fri afternoon, min 3°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSE 7 | E 9 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 226 | 297 | 58 | 104 | 123 | 146 | 411 | 333 | 343 | 255 | 204 | 184 | 98 | 94 | 64 | 49 | 46 | 28 | 70 | 116 | 86 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:53PM1.98m | 9:19AM2.05m | 9:40PM2.01m | 10:17AM2.10m | 10:32PM2.07m | 11:16AM2.18m | 11:29PM2.17m | 12:12PM2.27m | 00:28AM2.28m | 1:07PM2.36m | 1:23AM2.40m | 2:05PM2.44m | 2:15AM2.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:45PM0.66m | 3:08AM0.72m | 3:32PM0.67m | 3:58AM0.67m | 4:26PM0.70m | 4:49AM0.63m | 5:28PM0.71m | 5:43AM0.62m | 6:27PM0.68m | 6:39AM0.62m | 7:21PM0.63m | 7:38AM0.60m | 8:14PM0.58m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — |
 | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — |
mm | 5 | — | 1 | 10 | 8 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 7 |
Feels °C | -1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | -5 | 0 | -1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ENE 6 | E 8 |
| kJ | 226 | 122 | 47 | 104 | 123 | 146 | 411 | 333 | 343 | 255 | 204 | 184 | 98 | 94 | 64 | 49 | 46 | 28 | 52 | 37 | 86 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 6 | — | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 18 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 11 | ENE 5 | SE 9 | E 9 | S 8 |
| kJ | 21 | 40 | 58 | 18 | — | 81 | 20 | 35 | 29 | 24 | 24 | 31 | 67 | 63 | 42 | 20 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SE 13 | — | — | S 20 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 18 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | SE 15 | SE 10 | S 13 | S 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | — | 20 | 17 | 7 | — | — | 30 | 69 | 97 | 49 | 48 | 63 | 31 | 20 | — | — | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 15 | SSE 7 | — | SE 6 | SE 5 | SE 6 | S 6 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | — |
| kJ | 21 | 297 | — | 38 | 64 | 60 | 119 | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 28 | 70 | 116 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 0 | 0 | 155 | 141 | 141 | 87 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 109 | 0 | 0 | 109 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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