Lighthouse Reef surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Thursday 18 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
16.4° C
(Which is 4.0°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 Saturday (Dec 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Lighthouse Reef in the next 12 days are 1.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Dec 23) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Saturday (Dec 20) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sat 20th Dec)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Best Surf 1AM (Sat 20th Dec)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Most Powerful 1PM (Tue 23rd Dec)4.5ft (1.4m) 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 11mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sun morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
ESE
0.4
ESE
0.2
ESE
1.4
S
0.8
SSE
0.6
SSE
0.6
SSE
0.7
SSE
0.7
SSE
0.6
SSE
0.5
SE
0.7
SE
0.9
SE
0.8
SE
0.7
SE
0.6
SE
0.5
SE
0.5
SE
0.4
SE
0.6
E
0.6
SSE
Period(s) (?)761056766677101111101099856
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)3617101044629273634292394191168108794139252126
Wind
(km/h)
15
NE
10
NNE
15
N
50
SSW
5
W
5
NW
20
ESE
10
SSW
10
SW
20
ESE
5
NW
10
ENE
20
ENE
15
NNE
10
SSE
20
E
5
WSW
5
NNE
10
E
10
NNW
20
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
crossoffglassoncrosscross-
off
onglasscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
onglasscrossoncross-
off
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:18AM
2.10
3:21PM
2.27
3:56AM
2.11
3:51PM
2.32
4:36AM
2.12
4:25PM
2.30
5:17AM
2.13
5:04PM
2.23
6:00AM
2.15
5:50PM
2.13
6:46AM
2.15
6:47PM
2.06
7:36AM
2.12
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:17PM
0.65
9:38AM
0.71
9:58PM
0.66
10:14AM
0.77
10:36PM
0.69
10:54AM
0.82
11:13PM
0.73
11:37AM
0.86
11:50PM
0.78
12:21PM
0.87
12:32AM
0.79
1:06PM
0.86
1:22AM
0.78
Thu
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Sunrise--5:45--5:45--5:46--5:46--5:47--5:47--5:48
Sunset9:16--9:16--9:17--9:17--9:19--9:19--9:20--
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
Rain (mm)
-2--3132----12-----1-
Temp. °C17142011913131012121113131318181520191415
Feels °C (?)1413180510881079991216151517171311
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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