Lyall Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.33° S 174.80° E

Lyall Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Lyall Bay sea temperature is
12.6° C
0.6° 

Lyall Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Lyall Bay surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, S swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 11s period, S swell with 8,173 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Lyall Bay in the next 16 days are 6.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Wed 19th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Best Surf 3PM (Wed 19th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 9PM (Tue 18th Aug)20ft (6.0m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s talk Lyall Bay in feet and miles per hour, like a proper local.

Water temp’s about 55°F, dead average for the time of year, nothing unusual.

The first few days are a complete bust. Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th are a total loss. We’re looking at a 16ft southerly swell on Tuesday arvo with a near gale slamming straight onshore – that’s dangerous, not surfing. The combined energy is massive (4420). Wednesday’s still ugly with 13ft and onshore winds.

Thursday the 20th is where we get a glimmer. Thursday morning is still iffy, but Thursday afternoon? That’s our window. Swell drops to a much friendlier 5ft from the south, 9-second period, and the wind goes glassy. That’s a huge deal. The combined energy is moderate (480), and you’re looking at clean, glassy conditions. For a beginner spot that doesn’t break all the time, this is a real treat. It’s not a huge swell, but for a clean, easy session, this is the pick of the first week.

From Friday the 21st right through the end of the month, it’s a long dry spell. The wind is offshore or cross-offshore, so the surface looks good, but the swell disappears – we’re talking 1ft to 5ft, with combined energy barely above 100 (weak). The wind is also strong, 15 to 31 mph, so you’re fighting the breeze for tiny waves. There’s a solid gap of about a week with nothing worth paddling for.

Into the second week, there’s a blip on the radar for Wednesday the 2nd of September. Another big southerly swell arrives at 10ft, period around 10-11 seconds, with offshore wind from the north. The combined energy jumps to 3263 (very strong). But 10ft is big – expert territory – and with that much power, it’s probably too much for this spot. The offshore wind will keep it clean, but you’ll need serious skill.

Bottom line: Thursday the 20th afternoon is your best shot for clean, fun waves. The big pulse on the 2nd of September is one for the experienced crew to keep an eye on, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Thu night, min 8°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSW on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the NNW on Fri morning, near gales from the NNW by Fri night).

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
!
3
1
2
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
S
8
5
S
10
5.5
S
11
4
S
11
3
S
14
2
S
13
1.6
S
9
1.6
S
9
1.5
S
12
1.4
S
13
1.2
S
13
1
S
11
0.9
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.6
S
10
0.4
S
9
0.4
S
9
0.8
SSW
13
1
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1178
4401
7825
3662
3857
1355
371
373
617
643
468
265
188
146
71
27
27
229
443
351
449
Wind (km/h)
40
SSW
55
S
55
S
30
S
20
S
10
WSW
5
SE
5
SE
10
NNE
25
NNW
40
NNW
50
NNW
50
NNW
45
NW
50
NW
35
NNW
40
NW
35
NW
40
NW
45
NW
45
NW
Wind State
cross-on
on
on
on
on
cross
cross-on
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
9:14AM1.65m
9:40PM1.61m
10:02AM1.64m
10:28PM1.60m
10:50AM1.63m
11:13PM1.57m
11:37AM1.61m
11:56PM1.55m
12:22PM1.59m
00:39AM1.51m
1:05PM1.58m
1:24AM1.48m
1:46PM1.56m
2:09AM1.44m
Low Tide
3:35PM0.59m
3:57AM0.64m
4:27PM0.63m
4:44AM0.66m
5:16PM0.66m
5:28AM0.69m
6:02PM0.68m
6:09AM0.71m
6:44PM0.69m
6:48AM0.72m
7:25PM0.70m
7:27AM0.73m
8:05PM0.70m
clear
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:01
7:00
6:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
 mm
2
Temp °C
10
9
8
8
10
10
9
10
11
11
12
11
12
13
13
14
14
13
13
14
13
Feels °C
1
-2
-4
0
5
7
7
9
9
4
4
2
1
4
3
6
6
5
5
5
5
  • 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 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.

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