
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, SSW swell with 3,053 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Lyall Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lyall Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 7s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here, and I gotta be straight with you – this forecast for Lyall Bay is a tough one to call. We're looking at a 16-day window that's got a real mean streak, with a lot of wind and swell that's just not lining up. The first week is a write-off, honestly. We're talking about strong, howling winds from the NW and SSW, and the swell is either too small or blown to bits. The water's sitting at a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that's small comfort when you're getting sandblasted.
The first real glimmer of hope doesn't come until Monday the 14th of September. On that morning, the wind flips to a light offshore breeze from the north, and we've got a solid 6ft of S swell pushing in with a decent 11-second period. The combined energy of all swells is a solid moderate 922. This is the standout of the whole forecast. The waves will be clean, the wind will be light, and it's a genuine chance for a good session. The afternoon hangs in there too, with 5ft and a light northwesterly, still offering some clean lines.
But, and this is a big but, if that swell is too big for you, listen up. Earlier, on Sunday the 13th of September, we get a warning from the data. The morning sees a 12ft S swell with a 12-second period, but it's flagged as too big for this break. The afternoon is the same story with 10ft, but the wind turns offshore from the NNW. It's a powerful, clean, but huge swell. If you're an expert, that Sunday afternoon might be your window, but it's not for the faint-hearted.
Looking further out, the second week offers a couple of interesting possibilities. Thursday the 17th of September morning is a real tease. The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the east, and we've got a 8ft S swell with an 11-second period – that's a very good session on paper, with a combined energy of 1261. But it's a long-range call, so it's a promising but less certain one. The afternoon drops off a bit with a small cross-onshore wind creating some chop.
The bottom line? The first week is a total blowout. Monday the 14th of September is your best bet for a clean, fun, manageable surf. After that, keep an eye on the 17th for a potential glassy gem, but don't book your day off work just yet. For the rest of the time, the wind is just too strong or the swell is too big and messy. It's a waiting game.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (gales from the NW on Fri morning, fresh winds from the NW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun night, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NNW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the ESE by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 10 | S 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 7 | SSW 7 | S 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
555 | 316 | 146 | 33 | 26 | 54 | 21 | 72 | 96 | 191 | 82 | 49 | 2770 | 1755 | 373 | 72 | 46 | 40 | 77 | 57 | 166 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:27AM1.67m | 10:00PM1.61m | 10:16AM1.71m | 10:48PM1.62m | 11:08AM1.73m | 11:37PM1.62m | 12:02PM1.74m | 00:30AM1.61m | 12:56PM1.74m | 1:26AM1.59m | 1:52PM1.74m | 2:24AM1.58m | 2:48PM1.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:55PM0.59m | 4:15AM0.59m | 4:46PM0.55m | 5:04AM0.55m | 5:36PM0.51m | 5:52AM0.51m | 6:25PM0.49m | 6:41AM0.48m | 7:15PM0.48m | 7:33AM0.47m | 8:07PM0.49m | 8:30AM0.47m | 9:03PM0.51m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 10 | S 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | NW 8 | SSW 15 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 7 | SSW 7 | S 6 |
555 | 316 | 146 | 33 | 26 | 54 | 16 | 72 | 96 | 191 | 47 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 373 | 72 | 46 | 40 | 77 | 57 | 166 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 10 | SSW 14 | SSE 9 | SSW 16 | S 9 | SSW 7 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | — | NNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 13 |
— | 4 | 39 | 29 | 24 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 82 | 49 | — | 6 | 20 | 60 | 36 | 25 | 7 | 7 | 101 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 10 | SSW 14 | SW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | — | S 10 | — | — | E 5 | — | NW 8 | NNW 9 | S 14 | S 13 | NW 8 | SE 9 | S 20 | NW 6 |
— | — | 4 | 20 | 4 | 21 | 21 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 3 | 7 | 27 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | SSW 9 | S 9 | — | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | S 4 | NNW 4 | NW 6 | — |
224 | 345 | 222 | 1212 | 341 | 143 | 133 | 307 | 192 | 247 | 490 | 677 | 2770 | 1755 | — | 133 | 260 | 17 | 35 | 199 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 63 | 77 | 63 | 126 | 77 | 296 | 64 | 108 | 126 | 108 | 108 | 59 | 110 | 211 | 0 | 63 | 15 | 15 | 59 | 88 | 77 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wellington | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Lyall Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Lyall Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Lyall Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Lyall Bay 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 (Lyall Bay) 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 Lyall Bay 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.
Lyall Bay is 6 km (4 miles) from the city of Wellington. If you plan a holiday in Wellington, look for hotels and other accommodation in Wellington. Wellington has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










