Surf Forecasts:
Lighthouse Reef surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SSE swell with 1,265 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period with SSE 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 (Aug 25) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. 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 1.6m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 15s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lighthouse Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Lighthouse Reef.
Overall, the outlook for Lighthouse Reef is a real mixed bag. We’ve got a couple of windows that look promising, but there are also some extended stretches where the conditions just aren’t worth paddling out. The water temp is sitting at 50°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need the thickest rubber.
The best session on offer is the morning of the 1st of September. We’re looking at a clean 5ft swell from the SSE, with a 14-second period, giving it some real punch. The combined energy is strong at 799. The wind is offshore from the WNW, making for clean faces. That’s a solid swell for the more experienced surfer, and given the break is rated advanced, this is the standout. The afternoon of the 31st of August is also a strong contender, with a glassy 4ft SSE swell, very long period at 15 seconds, and a combined energy of 498. That will be a proper session, but those long-period swells can make beach breaks a bit straight, so Lighthouse Reef’s setup should suit it.
The early part of the outlook is a slow grind. The 24th of August Monday morning has a clean 2ft from the SSE, but with only 228 combined energy, it’s tiny. After that, things get ordinary. There’s a gap of poor conditions from the 26th through the 30th, with messy winds and small, weak swells. The morning of the 31st of August is when things finally turn around.
The 4th of September Friday morning has a clean 3ft from the SSE with a very long 16-second period and a combined energy of 573, but it’s marginal and the wind is moderate. It’s a distant second option compared to the 1st of September. After the 4th of September, the surf drops off significantly, with tiny, weak energy through to the 8th of September.
To sum it up: the 1st of September morning is the one to circle. The 31st of August afternoon is also a gem. The rest of the 16-day window is mostly for the patient or the committed.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 7°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Fri morning, min 6°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Thu morning, calm by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 14 | SE 11 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SE 15 | SE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | SE 17 | SE 16 | SE 13 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 14 | SSE 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 138 | 64 | 95 | 44 | 59 | 56 | 87 | 146 | 434 | 261 | 134 | 122 | 82 | 58 | 52 | 36 | 38 | 13 | 7 | 52 | 146 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 12:42PM2.11m | 1:16AM2.10m | 1:25PM2.11m | 1:50AM2.10m | 2:06PM2.10m | 2:23AM2.10m | 2:43PM2.08m | 2:58AM2.11m | 3:20PM2.07m | 3:37AM2.12m | 3:59PM2.06m | 4:20AM2.14m | 4:39PM2.04m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:10PM0.68m | 7:19AM0.75m | 7:48PM0.64m | 7:59AM0.71m | 8:23PM0.59m | 8:38AM0.65m | 8:58PM0.53m | 9:17AM0.59m | 9:35PM0.49m | 9:59AM0.51m | 10:16PM0.47m | 10:47AM0.45m | 10:59PM0.49m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  |  | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 23 | 8 | 3 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 12 | 9 |
Feels °C | 10 | 13 | 7 | 15 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SE 11 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SE 15 | ESE 4 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | SE 17 | SE 16 | SE 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 4 | SSE 8 | SE 14 | SSE 15 |
| kJ | 138 | 64 | 95 | 44 | 59 | 4 | 87 | 146 | 434 | 261 | 134 | 122 | 82 | 51 | 52 | 36 | 38 | 3 | 7 | 52 | 146 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | SSE 15 | ESE 14 | SSE 8 | ESE 13 | SE 15 | E 3 | ESE 13 | SSE 11 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 9 | SE 12 | E 7 | E 7 |
| kJ | 18 | 22 | 20 | 7 | 17 | 56 | 1 | 17 | 187 | 14 | 5 | 71 | 61 | 58 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 15 | E 12 | — | ESE 14 | NE 4 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | E 3 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 12 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 72 | 12 | — | 19 | 3 | 17 | 18 | 1 | 14 | — | — | — | 9 | 8 | 29 | 17 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | S 4 | NNE 3 | — | SW 3 | NNW 2 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | 91 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 3 | — | 2 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 87 | 0 | 0 | 109 | 0 | 138 | 191 | 223 | 324 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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