
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 23s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 19s period, S swell with 4,011 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lyall Bay in the next 16 days are 2.4m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 23s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m breaking down Lyall Bay for you.
We’ve got a 16-day window that starts with some decent surf, then a long stretch of flat, blown-out junk, before a promising pulse shows up in the final week. The water temp is 53°, which is about average for the time of year.
First up, Friday morning, 17 July. There’s a 4-foot swell from the south, with a 14-second period. The wind is a clean offshore from the NNE at 15 mph, so the surf is looking really good. The combined energy is moderate (869). This is a great start, but remember, Lyall Bay is a beginner spot, it’s inconsistent, and crowds are possible.
The real standout is Saturday afternoon, 18 July. The swell jumps to 6 feet from the south, with a very long 22-second period. That’s a groundswell with serious energy (3502). The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNW, so the waves will be clean and powerful. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers only – anything over 5 feet is pushing it for beginners. The long period means better shaped waves but longer waits. This is the best on offer.
Sunday morning, 19 July, is another beauty. The swell is a solid 5 feet from the south-southwest, with a 16-second period, and the wind is glassy from the SW at 3 mph. The energy is strong (1557). This is pure perfection for the experienced crew.
After that, things get messy. From Sunday afternoon through the end of the first week, the wind turns onshore, and the swell drops. We get a brief window on Tuesday morning, 21 July, with an offshore wind and a 7-foot south swell, but the conditions are marginal.
Then we hit a dead zone. From Wednesday, 22 July, all the way to Saturday, 25 July, the surf is small, weak, and blown out. Not worth it.
The next hope is Sunday, 26 July. The swell bumps up to 8 feet from the south, with a short 8-second period, and the wind is light and cross-off. The energy is moderate (1189). This is a big swell, but the short period means it’ll be lumpy. Only for experts, and crowds are possible.
From Monday, 27 July, it’s back to poor conditions. The wind is howling onshore. We see a few clean days around Wednesday, 29 July, but the swell is tiny – 2 to 3 feet – and the energy is weak.
The final days, from 30 July to 1 August, are a write-off. Small, weak, and onshore.
So, the call is clear: Saturday 18 July afternoon is the absolute standout – that 6-foot, 22-second groundswell with clean cross-off wind is the session to aim for. Sunday morning 19 July is a close second with glassy conditions. After that, there’s a long gap of poor surf until the big, long-range swell on Sunday 26 July, which is promising but less certain.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | S 22 | S 20 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 13 | S 19 | S 18 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
585 | 639 | 387 | 362 | 3160 | 2291 | 1382 | 1088 | 1108 | 1032 | 1600 | 2960 | 1933 | 1172 | 660 | 191 | 184 | 117 | 80 | 57 | 83 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:19PM1.77m | 7:54AM1.65m | 8:17PM1.73m | 8:48AM1.66m | 9:14PM1.69m | 9:40AM1.66m | 10:08PM1.66m | 10:31AM1.66m | 10:58PM1.63m | 11:21AM1.65m | 11:46PM1.60m | 12:11PM1.63m | 00:31AM1.58m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:04PM0.44m | 1:50AM0.49m | 2:02PM0.46m | 2:44AM0.51m | 3:01PM0.49m | 3:37AM0.53m | 3:59PM0.54m | 4:27AM0.57m | 4:53PM0.58m | 5:15AM0.61m | 5:45PM0.63m | 6:00AM0.65m | 6:33PM0.67m | ||||||||
7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | |
— | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 |
Feels °C | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | ESE 14 | S 22 | S 20 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 13 | S 13 | S 18 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
585 | 639 | 318 | 362 | 3160 | 2291 | 1382 | 1088 | 1108 | 1032 | 824 | 2960 | 1933 | 1172 | 660 | 191 | 184 | 117 | 68 | 56 | 83 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | SSW 10 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | S 19 | S 19 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 5 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 12 |
284 | 392 | 387 | 177 | 342 | 229 | 175 | 170 | 99 | 343 | 1600 | 33 | 31 | 12 | 12 | 145 | 97 | 19 | 80 | 57 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 15 | — | ESE 14 | — | — | — | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | — | SSE 14 | SE 11 | SSW 12 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
— | — | — | 125 | — | 486 | — | — | — | 56 | 55 | — | — | — | — | 20 | 4 | 77 | 15 | 5 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 3 | SSW 3 | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | SSW 3 | — | N 2 | NNW 4 | NW 5 |
3 | 8 | 4 | 4 | — | 7 | — | — | — | 40 | 66 | — | — | 28 | 6 | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | 11 | 65 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 6 | 43 | 0 | 38 | 38 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 77 |
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.










