
Surf Forecasts:
Lighthouse Reef surf forecast from 9 Nov 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 21 Nov, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 14 Nov, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SSE swell with 419 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 11 Nov, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s 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 Wednesday (Nov 11) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period. 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 0.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Nov 14) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 13s period and expected on Monday (Nov 09) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 11th Nov) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sat 21st Nov) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 14th Nov) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lighthouse Reef over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 9 | Tuesday 10 | Wednesday 11 | Thursday 12 | Friday 13 | Saturday 14 | Sunday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSE 15 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 4 | E 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
50 | 42 | 57 | 89 | 83 | 74 | 47 | 49 | 64 | 38 | 9 | 15 | 32 | 75 | 419 | 144 | 129 | 54 | 30 | 28 | 15 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | on | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:54PM2.16m | 4:21AM2.26m | 4:18PM2.24m | 4:55AM2.22m | 4:45PM2.35m | 5:33AM2.17m | 5:20PM2.42m | 6:16AM2.12m | 6:02PM2.39m | 7:07AM2.08m | 6:58PM2.26m | 8:08AM2.07m | 8:16PM2.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:04AM0.61m | 10:08PM0.61m | 10:39AM0.67m | 10:49PM0.61m | 11:12AM0.74m | 11:32PM0.63m | 11:47AM0.80m | 00:17AM0.68m | 12:27PM0.85m | 1:05AM0.76m | 1:14PM0.91m | 1:57AM0.85m | 2:08PM0.96m | 2:53AM0.92m | |||||||
6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | 8:31 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:39 | — | |
mm | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 19 | 21 | 15 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 10 | SE 13 | SE 12 | S 11 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 9 | SE 15 | E 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | E 5 | E 7 |
14 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 74 | 47 | 49 | 64 | 38 | 9 | 15 | 32 | 75 | 158 | 144 | 129 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 15 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 16 | SSE 15 | S 12 | — | — | S 10 | S 13 | S 16 | SE 15 | SE 15 | — | SSE 11 | SSE 5 | ENE 11 | E 5 | SSE 4 | E 10 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSE 10 |
10 | 21 | 28 | — | — | 8 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 9 | — | 11 | 5 | 40 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 54 | 30 | 28 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | — | — | — | — | S 13 | S 12 | S 8 | — | S 7 | SE 14 | E 10 | — | E 11 | E 10 | — | SSE 14 | E 9 | E 9 | S 16 |
50 | 42 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 5 | — | 1 | 7 | 16 | — | 9 | 8 | — | 21 | 7 | 2 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | SE 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | — | — | — | S 4 | — | E 4 | E 5 | ENE 4 | E 4 | SSE 15 | E 4 | ENE 3 | NE 4 | NE 5 | — | N 2 |
16 | 20 | 57 | 89 | 83 | — | — | — | 6 | — | 9 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 419 | 1 | 2 | 28 | 30 | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 138 | 138 | 162 | 138 | 138 | 136 | 7 | 136 | 1 | 109 | 109 | 89 | 136 | 212 | 141 | 109 | 138 | 0 | 0 | 89 | 87 |
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.










