
Surf Forecasts:
Lighthouse Reef surf forecast from 24 Jun 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 27 Jun, 6AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 25 Jun, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, SSE swell with 268 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 25 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period with E 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 Thursday (Jun 25) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jun 25) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jun 25) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 25th Jun) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sat 27th Jun) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Thu 25th Jun) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lighthouse Reef over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 10°C on Wed afternoon, min 4°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed afternoon, strong winds from the SSW by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 24 | Thursday 25 | Friday 26 | Saturday 27 | Sunday 28 | Monday 29 | Tuesday 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 | SSE 14 | S 6 | SSE 8 | E 9 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | E 9 | ESE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 16 | SE 15 | SSE 15 | SE 15 | SSE 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
19 | 20 | 184 | 59 | 15 | 126 | 75 | 55 | 34 | 161 | 198 | 152 | 112 | 75 | 50 | 49 | 100 | 109 | 156 | 112 | 64 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | glassy | off | off | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:40AM2.06m | 00:07AM2.02m | 12:24PM2.07m | 00:54AM2.03m | 1:02PM2.08m | 1:28AM2.07m | 1:39PM2.09m | 1:52AM2.15m | 2:17PM2.10m | 2:16AM2.24m | 2:58PM2.09m | 2:45AM2.29m | 3:41PM2.08m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:54PM0.66m | 6:06AM0.68m | 6:44PM0.63m | 6:49AM0.70m | 7:23PM0.64m | 7:30AM0.71m | 7:58PM0.68m | 8:12AM0.69m | 8:31PM0.74m | 8:54AM0.67m | 9:08PM0.80m | 9:36AM0.68m | 9:48PM0.84m | ||||||||
8:11 | — | — | 8:11 | — | — | 8:11 | — | — | 8:11 | — | — | 8:11 | — | — | 8:11 | — | — | 8:11 | — | — | |
— | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Feels °C | 6 | 8 | 1 | 2 | -3 | -1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | E 7 | SSE 5 | SSE 8 | E 9 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | ESE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 15 | SSE 15 | SE 15 | SSE 13 |
9 | 4 | 39 | 59 | 15 | 126 | 75 | 55 | 34 | 161 | 198 | 152 | 112 | 75 | 50 | 49 | 32 | 109 | 156 | 112 | 64 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SSE 10 | E 8 | E 9 | — | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 9 | SSE 17 | SE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 10 | SSE 5 | SSE 16 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
19 | 9 | 22 | 23 | — | 15 | 39 | 17 | 26 | 115 | 63 | 93 | 40 | 37 | 10 | 8 | 100 | 31 | 17 | 17 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | SSE 14 | SE 13 | — | — | E 11 | — | E 12 | E 11 | S 8 | SE 20 | — | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SE 14 | SSE 17 | SE 4 | SE 8 | E 13 | — | SE 12 |
3 | 20 | 7 | — | — | 10 | — | 10 | 22 | 28 | 15 | — | 42 | 37 | 7 | 27 | 5 | 16 | 3 | — | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 6 | SSW 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 184 | 344 | 270 | 549 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 89 | 87 | 219 | 155 | 219 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 0 | 0 | 136 | 0 | 7 | 136 | 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.









