Lighthouse Reef surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Saturday 14 Feb 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
16.9° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Feb 15) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 4s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Feb 17) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Feb 17) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sun 15th Feb)2.5ft (0.8m) 4s
Best Surf 7PM (Tue 17th Feb)8ft (2.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 1PM (Tue 17th Feb)8ft (2.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lighthouse Reef over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sat morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
3
3
2
2
0
1
0
1
1
2
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.5
E
0.6
E
0.4
E
0.5
ESE
1.1
SE
1.1
SE
1.2
SE
1.7
ESE
1.6
ESE
1.5
ESE
1.5
ESE
1.3
ESE
1.1
ESE
1
ESE
0.8
ESE
0.7
SE
0.7
ESE
0.3
ESE
1
ESE
1.2
E
0.7
ESE
Period(s) (?)998789913121111109988811121111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)38552226156186247102876255048935320316588695624318358119
Wind
(km/h)
10
N
20
E
15
SSW
15
S
25
SSE
25
SSW
25
SSW
25
SSW
20
SSW
15
SW
15
SSW
10
SW
5
SW
15
SSE
5
N
10
NNE
15
W
10
NW
5
NNE
20
ENE
15
NNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
glasscrossoffoffglasscross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:13PM
1.97
2:39AM
2.18
2:46PM
1.98
3:17AM
2.21
3:22PM
2.00
3:55AM
2.23
4:02PM
2.02
4:34AM
2.24
4:48PM
2.03
5:15AM
2.23
5:40PM
2.04
5:57AM
2.19
6:34PM
2.05
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:19PM
0.73
9:06AM
0.74
8:54PM
0.69
9:41AM
0.66
9:30PM
0.64
10:17AM
0.58
10:10PM
0.57
10:58AM
0.51
10:56PM
0.52
11:41AM
0.46
11:49PM
0.49
12:27PM
0.45
12:46AM
0.51
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Sunrise6:50--6:50--6:52--6:54--6:56--6:56--6:58--
Sunset-8:46--8:45--8:44--8:42--8:40--8:38--8:37-
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-11---1--1-------1-22
Temp. °C161513141313121313141413141513222314161612
Feels °C (?)1311987867711111012131320201313129
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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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