Lighthouse Reef surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Sunday 28 Dec 2025 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
16.0° C
(Which is 3.0°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 Wednesday (Dec 31) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Lighthouse Reef in the next 12 days are 2.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jan 02) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 31st Dec)3.5ft (1.1m) 8s
Best Surf 7AM (Wed 31st Dec)4.5ft (1.3m) 10s
Most Powerful 4PM (Wed 31st Dec)8ft (2.4m) 10s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.1
E
0.3
SE
0.3
SE
0.4
SE
0.5
SE
0.4
SE
0.8
ESE
0.9
ESE
1.6
ESE
2.4
ESE
1.2
ESE
1
ESE
0.9
ESE
0.7
ESE
0.8
SSE
0.9
SSE
0.6
SE
0.5
SE
0.5
SE
0.5
SE
0.2
SSE
Period(s) (?)9988881071010998877777716
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)213111732251177946310212181661277057783727262324
Wind
(km/h)
15
SE
5
WSW
10
ESE
20
ESE
10
SSE
15
ESE
15
E
10
E
10
SW
15
ENE
5
N
10
S
25
SSE
15
S
20
S
10
SSE
15
S
10
SSE
10
ESE
10
NNE
15
NNE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
onglassononcross-
on
onononcross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
oncrosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:40PM
2.10
10:58AM
2.10
11:41PM
2.15
11:52AM
2.16
12:41AM
2.23
12:52PM
2.25
1:37AM
2.34
1:49PM
2.37
2:31AM
2.44
2:42PM
2.48
3:29AM
2.53
3:32PM
2.54
4:31AM
2.58
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:26PM
0.67
4:48AM
0.68
5:19PM
0.60
5:47AM
0.70
6:12PM
0.56
6:50AM
0.69
7:06PM
0.54
7:49AM
0.65
8:02PM
0.57
8:43AM
0.61
9:00PM
0.55
9:35AM
0.59
9:57PM
0.52
10:27AM
0.62
Sun
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunrise--5:50--5:50--5:52--5:52--5:54--5:54--5:56
Sunset9:21--9:21--9:22--9:22--9:22--9:22--9:22--
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
----12610--1--2--1----
Temp. °C141314141312121115161417161313131212131215
Feels °C (?)101211101089714131113121191199101011
  • 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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