
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SE swell with 573 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period with SSW 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lyall Bay in the next 16 days are 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
Alright, grab your wettie, let's talk about Lyall Bay. It's a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, but we've got a couple of sessions that are gonna be worth the paddle out.
Right now, the pattern is pretty average. We're coming off a run of poor conditions with strong southerly winds and messy, short-period swell that just hasn't been doing the bay any favors. There's a bit of a quiet spell for the next few days.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Sunday the 12th. We'll see a small groundswell pushing in from the SSW around 1 ft. It's not huge, but the wind is swinging around, giving us a light cross-offshore breeze in the morning. That means the lineup should actually be clean and workable. The combined swell energy is moderate at best, but for a beginner spot, that's a good, manageable size. It's an inconsistent break here, so patience pays off.
Looking ahead to the second week, things get interesting. After a few days of strong offshore winds that are just too hectic to paddle into (those northwesterlies blowing at 22 mph are a mission), we get a window of cleaner conditions from the 16th, but the energy is still low.
Now, the standout session. Mark your calendar for Wednesday the 22nd. The morning is looking absolutely pristine. We've got a proper SSW groundswell coming in at a solid 5.2 ft with a period of 14 seconds. The combined energy is pumping strong. But the kicker? The wind is dead calm and glassy as a mirror from the ENE at 0 mph. That is about as good as it gets for conditions here. The swell direction is perfect, hitting that southerly exposure just right. This is the session for the crew who know what they're doing—it's clean, powerful, and the sets will have some proper shape. It could be a bit much for beginners as it's over 5 ft, but for everyone else, this is the one to wait for.
The tail end of the forecast picks up again with cleaner but smaller conditions, wrapping up the 16-day window. Overall, if you're after a wave this fortnight, the 22nd is your day.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Sat night, fresh winds from the N by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Tue morning, calm by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | ESE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | ESE 10 | E 13 | ESE 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 4 | SSE 5 | SE 15 | ESE 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
400 | 235 | 145 | 110 | 359 | 355 | 252 | 194 | 96 | 47 | 121 | 49 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 24 | 22 | 60 | 54 | 240 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 12:36PM1.69m | 1:04AM1.64m | 1:30PM1.75m | 2:01AM1.65m | 2:26PM1.80m | 3:01AM1.65m | 3:22PM1.83m | 4:01AM1.66m | 4:20PM1.85m | 5:00AM1.65m | 5:20PM1.84m | 5:59AM1.65m | 6:20PM1.81m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:52PM0.61m | 7:15AM0.60m | 7:47PM0.58m | 8:07AM0.58m | 8:44PM0.55m | 9:05AM0.55m | 9:44PM0.53m | 10:06AM0.51m | 10:48PM0.52m | 11:06AM0.48m | 11:52PM0.50m | 12:05PM0.45m | 00:53AM0.49m | ||||||||
7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | |
— | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | |
mm | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | E 10 | ESE 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | ESE 12 | SE 15 | ESE 16 |
286 | 235 | 145 | 96 | 359 | 355 | 252 | 194 | 96 | 47 | 121 | 49 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 14 | 24 | 22 | 15 | 54 | 240 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | S 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 13 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | S 8 | S 16 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSE 5 |
162 | 106 | 44 | 45 | 68 | 48 | 47 | 31 | 16 | 31 | 16 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 14 | 16 | 23 | 23 | 21 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 15 | S 21 | SSW 18 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | — | E 10 | — | S 12 | E 13 | S 8 | S 19 | NNW 5 | SE 16 | S 8 | SSW 15 |
— | 47 | 9 | 110 | 19 | — | — | — | 41 | 17 | — | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 21 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 5 | S 5 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | SSW 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | — |
400 | 220 | 131 | 53 | 24 | — | — | — | 3 | 65 | 92 | 187 | 154 | 111 | 171 | 59 | 56 | 22 | 60 | 39 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 110 | 59 | 63 | 88 | 59 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 38 | 54 | 59 | 64 | 54 | 108 | 77 | 64 | 59 | 0 | 59 | 59 |
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.










