
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSW swell with 1,121 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 3PM. 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 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, listen up, crew. Rusty here. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag on the horizon for Lyall Bay. It’s going to be a slow start, but there’s some real promise further out if you’ve got the patience.
First thing’s first, the water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
The first few days are a write-off. Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th are a complete no-go. We’re looking at strong onshore winds and messy, blown-out conditions. The swell that does show up on Saturday is a short-period windswell, and by the afternoon it’s a massive 10ft – but it’s onshore and junky. That’s kite-surfing territory, not for paddling. Sunday the 26th is still marginal, with a light cross-onshore messing with the small 4ft swell.
Things start to turn around on Monday the 27th. The morning is average, but the afternoon is where it’s at. The wind drops to glassy, and we’ve got a 2ft long-period groundswell from the ESE with a 13-second period. The combined energy is moderate (273). It’s not big, but it’ll be clean and fun on a longboard.
Tuesday the 28th is your best bet in the first week. The wind is a clean offshore breeze all day, with a moderate combined swell energy (461 in the morning). We’ve got a 4ft ESE groundswell at 13 seconds. It’s consistent, clean, and the crowd can be around sometimes. That’s the pick of the early days.
The middle of the week from Wednesday the 29th through Thursday the 30th goes back to poor conditions with strong cross-offshore winds, so skip that.
Now, look ahead to Friday the 31st of July. The morning session is a standout. We’re looking at a 6ft SSW groundswell wrapping in with a moderate offshore breeze. The combined wave energy is strong (855). It’s going to be a solid, clean day for experienced surfers. Beginners be warned – 6ft is pushing it.
Saturday the 1st of August is for the big dogs only. The swell is a powerful 8ft from the S with a 10-second period, and the combined energy is extreme (1677). That’s a heavy, powerful wave. The wind is offshore, but at 8ft, it’s only for experts. It’s a marginal call for the break itself.
After that, the following week is a bit of a letdown. Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd are wind-affected, and the swell drops off. There’s a brief window on Tuesday the 4th afternoon with a 4ft S swell and light winds looking clean, but it’s not a standout.
The real highlight is the first week of August. Wednesday the 5th is a write-off because the swell is forecast to be a massive 10ft with a huge combined energy of 2208. That’s just too big for Lyall Bay. But Thursday the 6th of August is a gem. The morning brings a 6ft S groundswell at 12 seconds with a gentle offshore breeze. The combined energy is strong (980). It’s the best of the second week, offering clean, powerful lines. Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th are back to choppy, onshore conditions.
So, to sum it up: Tuesday the 28th of July is the top pick for a fun, clean, manageable day. Thursday the 6th of August is the big one for the more experienced crew looking for a proper groundswell. Keep an eye on the long-range – it’s promising, but not set in stone.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sat morning, calm by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, strong winds from the NNW by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 14 | SSW 5 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
15 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 84 | 1121 | 447 | 186 | 133 | 118 | 137 | 178 | 326 | 414 | 357 | 326 | 237 | 210 | 213 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-on | on | glassy | off | glassy | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:31AM1.58m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:43AM0.70m | 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 | |||||||
— | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | 4 | 13 | — | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Feels °C | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | -2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | S 9 | SE 13 | NW 6 | NW 8 | SE 16 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | S 7 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 |
15 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 124 | 186 | 102 | 66 | 94 | 68 | 326 | 414 | 357 | 326 | 237 | 210 | 186 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | S 9 | SE 12 | S 14 | NW 8 | SE 13 | SSW 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 8 | S 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
10 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 17 | 27 | 49 | 142 | 133 | 118 | 137 | 178 | 55 | 47 | 37 | 20 | 66 | 172 | 213 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SE 12 | S 8 | S 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 18 | NNW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SE 13 | S 12 | — | — | SSW 13 | — | SSW 18 | — |
6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 30 | 7 | 41 | 21 | 50 | 16 | 27 | 3 | — | — | 17 | — | 107 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 8 | S 8 | — | — | — | N 2 | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | — | NNW 3 | NNW 5 | NW 6 |
334 | 382 | 504 | 251 | 84 | 1121 | 447 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 9 | 8 | — | 8 | 95 | 345 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 358 | 129 | 163 | 64 | 64 | 293 | 59 | 1 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 116 | 63 |
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.










