
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 9s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with 4,529 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period with ESE 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lyall Bay in the next 16 days are 5.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, same story but in feet and miles for you.
The next couple weeks are a real mixed plate for Lyall Bay. We gotta sit through a few quiet days before anything worth paddling out for shows up. Sunday’s a no-go – small, choppy, and wrong wind. But mark your calendar for Tuesday, July 28th.
That Tuesday is the real highlight. Morning and afternoon you’ve got a clean 4ft south-southeast swell, with a nice long 12 to 13 second interval – that’s proper groundswell. Winds go offshore from the north, light and clean. Wave energy’s moderate (538), so enough push to get you into a few. Water temp’s around 54°F, right on average for July. This is a solid beginner to intermediate day.
Then look ahead to Wednesday, August 5th. That morning it goes glassy with a 7ft south swell, 10-second period, and strong energy of 1041. That’s a clean, powerful day but it’s pushing into expert territory – might be too much for beginners. Afternoon stays clean with offshore wind.
The first weekend of August is a total mess. August 1st sees massive 15ft-plus surf with nasty onshore wind – dangerous and not fun for paddling. August 2nd is still way too big at around 12ft, though the wind lays down. That’s more of a kite day.
There’s a lull between the 28th and the 5th, with windy days and small weak waves in between. But that Wednesday morning of August 5th, and then again on Sunday August 9th – with 8ft to 8ft south swells and offshore wind – that’s your second-week wildcard. The 9th is clean and very good, but the swell’s short period (7 seconds) so it’ll be a bit lumpy and soft compared to the groundswell on the 28th.
Best call: Tuesday July 28th morning and afternoon, and Wednesday August 5th morning. Clean, offshore, proper waves. Crowds will be around because it’s Lyall Bay, but the quality will be worth sharing the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the N by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the N on Thu night, light winds from the WNW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | E 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 15 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
210 | 133 | 118 | 90 | 175 | 257 | 481 | 402 | 326 | 238 | 217 | 164 | 111 | 75 | 40 | 37 | 37 | 676 | 4124 | 3550 | 2403 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:26PM1.60m | 2:50AM1.48m | 3:07PM1.58m | 3:35AM1.45m | 3:48PM1.55m | 4:20AM1.43m | 4:31PM1.53m | 5:05AM1.41m | 5:16PM1.51m | 5:52AM1.41m | 6:04PM1.50m | 6:40AM1.42m | 6:54PM1.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:47PM0.75m | 8:49AM0.77m | 9:31PM0.76m | 9:34AM0.77m | 10:17PM0.76m | 10:20AM0.75m | 11:06PM0.75m | 11:06AM0.73m | 11:57PM0.74m | 11:52AM0.71m | 00:46AM0.72m | 12:39PM0.70m | 1:33AM0.70m | ||||||||
7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 6 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 12 | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Feels °C | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | NNW 9 | SE 14 | SE 16 | SE 14 |
210 | 124 | 79 | 68 | 66 | 257 | 481 | 402 | 326 | 238 | 217 | 164 | 111 | 75 | 40 | 37 | 23 | 49 | 128 | 151 | 53 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | E 13 | ESE 12 | SSE 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 13 | SE 15 | SE 14 | E 11 | E 10 | SSW 15 |
142 | 133 | 118 | 90 | 175 | 40 | 57 | 63 | 33 | 10 | 41 | 86 | 69 | 63 | 35 | 26 | 37 | 68 | 35 | 18 | 22 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 13 | SSW 7 | SSW 12 | — | — | SE 8 | S 16 | SSW 9 | — | — | — | ESE 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | E 11 | — | — | — |
41 | 21 | 56 | 82 | 27 | 107 | — | — | 24 | 5 | 8 | — | — | — | 13 | 14 | 25 | 9 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
— | — | — | 78 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 58 | 143 | 151 | 160 | 209 | 255 | 176 | 244 | 676 | 4124 | 3550 | 2403 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 25 | 59 | 59 | 59 | 63 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 54 | 59 | 63 | 64 | 64 | 63 | 116 | 59 | 59 | 59 | 110 |
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.










