
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period, S swell with 1,371 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 20s. 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 1.9m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll level with you – the next couple of weeks at Lyall Bay are a bit of a mixed bag. There’s a glimmer of decent surf, but you’re gonna have to pick your moments. The water temp is sitting right around average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real chance to get wet comes Friday morning, August 7th. We’ve got a solid 5ft south swell with a very long period of 15 seconds rolling in. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy is strong (1485). The wind is a cross-off from the NNW at 22 mph, so the faces will be clean. Now, that long-period stuff can be a bit straight at a beach break like Lyall Bay, but it’ll still offer some hefty, well-shaped lines. Keep in mind, it’s a touch over 5ft, so it might be pushing it for the beginners. The crowds are "sometimes" an issue, but on a Friday morning you might get a bit of room.
Friday afternoon is similar, with the swell pushing up to 6ft and the wind freshening to 25 mph, still cross-off. The energy is still very strong (1431). It’s powerful, but the wind is getting a bit strong.
Saturday, August 8th, the swell drops a little, but the morning is still clean with cross-off winds. The standout is Saturday afternoon: the wind goes offshore from the north at 19 mph, with a 4ft south swell at 11 seconds. The energy is moderate (411), but with fresh offshore breeze, it’ll be clean and lined up. This is a good window for a solid session.
Sunday, August 9th, is a write-off. The morning has a near-gale offshore wind (31 mph) that’s going to make paddling out a nightmare, even though the swell is a clean 3ft. The energy is weak (293). The afternoon is cross-off but still strong wind, and the swell drops to 3ft.
Monday, August 10th, has onshore wind and poor conditions. We get a bit of a bump in the afternoon with a 6ft swell, but it’s onshore and messy.
Now, the best of the whole run looks like Tuesday, August 11th. The afternoon is an absolute gem. The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the SE at only 3 mph. The swell is a clean 3ft from the SSE with a period of 11 seconds. The energy is weak (279), but for a small, clean wave, this is as good as it gets. The water will be like a mirror. If you can get out for a late session, you’ll be grinning.
After that, the swell dies off. Wednesday and Thursday, August 12th and 13th, have very small waves (1.0ft to 1ft) with offshore winds, but it’s just not enough to paddle. You’ll be chasing ankle-biters.
Then we hit a big gap. From Friday, August 14th, through to Tuesday, August 18th, the conditions are poor or the swell is tiny and onshore. There’s a spike on Sunday, August 16th, with an 8ft southerly swell, but it’s onshore with strong wind and a short period – that’s a messy, dangerous beast only for the brave, and even then, the quality is poor. The combined energy is strong (751), but the wind is a mess.
The second week looks rough. Wednesday, August 19th, has a tiny 3ft swell and clean faces, but it’s ordinary. Thursday, August 20th, has a strong 6ft southerly swell with strong onshore wind (near gale) – that’s a blown-out, choppy mess. Friday, August 21st, is similar but with lighter wind. The run ends on Saturday, August 22nd, with a small 3ft south swell and fresh offshore wind, but the energy is weak (229).
So, if you’re looking for the best on offer, it’s hands-down Tuesday afternoon, August 11th for the glassy, clean conditions. The fallback is Saturday afternoon, August 8th for the offshore wind and a bit more size. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the N on Sun morning, light winds from the W by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 13 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 11 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | S 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1070 | 1256 | 711 | 474 | 382 | 296 | 200 | 273 | 136 | 151 | 455 | 381 | 228 | 146 | 95 | 37 | 23 | 34 | 31 | 16 | 16 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:25AM1.69m | 11:54PM1.62m | 12:17PM1.73m | 00:46AM1.62m | 1:12PM1.76m | 1:42AM1.62m | 2:07PM1.78m | 2:41AM1.61m | 3:04PM1.79m | 3:41AM1.60m | 4:02PM1.77m | 4:39AM1.60m | 5:01PM1.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:48PM0.58m | 6:09AM0.57m | 6:39PM0.54m | 6:57AM0.54m | 7:30PM0.52m | 7:49AM0.51m | 8:24PM0.50m | 8:45AM0.49m | 9:22PM0.50m | 9:45AM0.47m | 10:24PM0.51m | 10:46AM0.45m | 11:28PM0.53m | ||||||||
7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
— | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 13 | SSE 10 | S 10 | NW 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | ESE 7 |
1070 | 1256 | 711 | 474 | 382 | 296 | 200 | 273 | 136 | 151 | 20 | 381 | 228 | 127 | 95 | 37 | 18 | 34 | 31 | 16 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 11 | S 15 | SE 12 | S 18 | S 14 | E 13 | S 16 | WNW 5 | SSE 15 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 12 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SSE 9 |
229 | 175 | 61 | 109 | 24 | 6 | 93 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 21 | 120 | 189 | 146 | 30 | 28 | 23 | 14 | 15 | 8 | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | — | — | SE 12 | S 16 | SSW 18 | — | SSW 13 | E 13 | NW 9 | SE 12 | NNW 9 | S 13 | S 13 | E 3 | S 13 | SSE 9 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | E 4 |
186 | — | — | 52 | 5 | 30 | — | 34 | 3 | 22 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 5 | SSW 7 | S 9 | — | — | ESE 3 | NE 3 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | N 3 |
29 | 91 | 98 | 102 | 77 | 48 | 188 | 243 | 115 | 43 | 455 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 95 | 168 | 98 | 33 | 33 | 15 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 38 | 59 | 63 | 59 | 38 | 6 | 63 | 77 | 61 | 25 | 59 | 88 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 43 | 44 | 28 |
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.











