
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 7s period, SSW swell with 890 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s 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 1.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. 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 3.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – we’re looking at a pretty grim stretch ahead for Lyall Bay. The next week and a half is going to be a write-off for decent waves, so don't get your hopes up.
The water is sitting at 53°F – about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
We’ve got a long, long gap. Starting from Friday the 24th of July, and running right through until the very end of the month, the surf is just poor. The wind is a massive issue. Friday brings a screaming 31 mph offshore, which is clean but practically impossible to paddle into. Then it swings onshore, smashing the swell up. The swell energy is weak, ranging from tiny 19 to a moderate 382 (combined energy), but the wind is ruining everything. The first real glimmer of hope doesn't appear until Tuesday the 28th of July.
That morning, we get a gentle offshore wind from the north at 9 mph, cleaning up a 4ft ESE groundswell with a solid 13-second period. The energy is moderate (455), and the wave comment says "expect good surf conditions." That Tuesday afternoon is similar, with a moderate offshore. This is the best you're going to get in the first week – small, clean, and glassy, but it's a short window before the wind cranks up again on Wednesday.
The rest of the week is a mix of fresh offshore winds and strong cross-offshore winds that make the 2ft to 3ft swell too weak to be any fun. The energy drops back to low levels (85-297). The 31st of July brings a sudden 7ft onshore slop with a short 6-second period and energy of 412 – a complete mess. The first of August is even bigger, with 8ft onshore and 873 energy, but it’s all wind-affected junk. This size is expert-only territory, but the quality is terrible.
The second week continues the trend of poor conditions. Onshore and cross-onshore winds dominate, with moderate energy swells (196-456) but the wind chops everything up. The 7th of August shows a surge of energy (862-1572) with a 6ft, 15-second period swell from the SSW, but it's onshore again. Disappointing.
Now, the one true standout in this whole 16-day window is Saturday the 8th of August. The morning looks promising. We’ve got a 6ft S swell with a 12-second period, which is a solid groundswell. The energy is very strong at 952. But the best part? Clean conditions with a 3 mph offshore wind, described as "slight air." That’s as good as it gets. The wave comment says "expect very good surf conditions." This is the session to circle. The afternoon is a step down with a light cross-onshore, but still a 6ft swell.
Lyall Bay is inconsistent and a beginner spot, and this forecast is a brutal reminder of that. When it’s good, it’s a fun little wave, but for the next two weeks, it’s a waiting game. The blank run we’re looking at is pretty normal for the area when the wind gods are angry. Stay patient. The 8th of August is your one shot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Fri morning, light winds from the SSE by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, strong winds from the NW by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 9 | S 14 | S 4 | SSW 6 | S 7 | S 7 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | E 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 6 | 7 | 30 | 271 | 465 | 199 | 143 | 118 | 89 | 231 | 403 | 395 | 421 | 331 | 246 | 189 | 117 | 82 | 79 | 54 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:59PM1.62m | 1:17AM1.54m | 1:44PM1.61m | 2:04AM1.51m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:19PM0.71m | 7:24AM0.73m | 8:03PM0.73m | 8:06AM0.76m | 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 | ||||||||
7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | |
— | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | S 9 | SE 13 | NW 8 | SE 13 | SE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 |
6 | 6 | 7 | 17 | 27 | 124 | 142 | 133 | 59 | 38 | 231 | 403 | 395 | 421 | 331 | 246 | 189 | 117 | 82 | 79 | 54 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SE 12 | S 8 | NNW 5 | NNW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ESE 13 | E 13 | SSE 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
7 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 49 | 41 | 21 | 118 | 89 | 35 | 111 | 60 | 38 | 19 | 42 | 42 | 69 | 35 | 43 | 38 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | S 14 | S 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 18 | NNW 9 | NW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 7 | S 9 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | SSW 10 | S 18 | S 18 | — | — | SE 16 |
6 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 31 | 7 | 3 | 15 | 26 | 39 | 27 | — | — | — | — | 9 | 25 | 25 | — | — | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | S 4 | SSW 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | N 2 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 |
370 | 373 | 251 | 30 | 271 | 465 | 199 | 143 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 9 | 66 | 289 | 148 | 388 | 463 | 73 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 139 | 139 | 64 | 25 | 110 | 110 | 25 | 110 | 59 | 59 | 59 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 59 | 63 | 108 | 126 | 54 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wellington | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










