
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 11s period, SSW swell with 6,397 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lyall Bay in the next 16 days are 5.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s talk about Lyall Bay. It’s been a bit of a rough stretch lately, but there’s some real hope on the horizon. The water’s sitting at about 55°F, which is pretty average for this time of year – nothing to write home about, but no nasty surprises either.
The forecast kicks off properly on Sunday, August 2nd. That’s where it starts to look interesting. We’ve got a solid 7ft swell rolling in from the south, with an 11-second period. The wind is blowing offshore from the north at 12 mph, and that’s going to keep the surface clean. The combined energy is moderate (1251), so there’s some proper push behind it. This is the standout of the whole outlook. It’s not huge, so it’s good for a wide range of surfers, but the offshore wind makes it quality. The swell direction from the south is bang on for Lyall Bay.
That Sunday afternoon, the swell drops a touch to 5ft, but it’s still from the south and the offshore north wind holds at 16 mph. Energy drops to moderate (874), but it’s still a fun, clean wave. The crowd factor? It says “sometimes,” so you might have a few mates out, but nothing too hectic.
Monday the 3rd brings a smaller day – 3ft in the morning from the SSW with a northerly cross-off, but it’s clean. The combined energy is weak (264). It’s surfable, but nothing special.
Then it gets messy. From Tuesday the 4th through to the 5th, a big southerly swell hits, up to 13ft, but it’s all onshore wind. That’s a no-go. Too much power and the wind is just wrecking it. Energy is strong to very strong (5992 on Tuesday), but who cares if it’s blown out? Same story on Wednesday – still big and onshore.
Now, the next real gem comes Thursday, August 6th. The morning starts with a 5ft swell from the SSW, but the wind is glassy – literally no wind from the NE at 3 mph. Combined energy is moderate (857). This is the other standout. Glassy conditions at Lyall Bay are a treat, and the swell is a nice size for a longboard or a fun shortboard. The afternoon holds with a 4ft swell and offshore NNW wind. Clean as a whistle.
After that, it fades again. Friday the 7th is small and cross-off, then the weekend of the 8th is tiny and cross-shore. There’s a glimmer on Sunday the 9th with a 4ft south swell and a cross-off wind, but it’s not the same quality.
Then we hit a big hole. From August 10th right through to the 14th, it’s poor. Tiny swells, onshore winds, or just nothing worth paddling out for. The energy is weak, often below 100 (like 44 on the 10th). That’s a five-day gap with nothing on offer.
Finally, on Saturday, August 15th, things perk up again. The swell picks up to 5ft from the SSW, and the wind goes glassy in the afternoon with a westerly at 3 mph. Combined energy is moderate (404). It’s a solid way to end the outlook – clean, fun waves. Not a standout like that Sunday or Thursday, but a good sign that the bay can still deliver.
So, if you’re looking for the best of the best, lock in Sunday the 2nd and Thursday the 6th. That’s your window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSW on Fri night, light winds from the SSW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Tue night, light winds from the SE by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 11 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 9 | S 12 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
40 | 38 | 82 | 6218 | 5094 | 2582 | 992 | 485 | 297 | 113 | 151 | 2032 | 5992 | 4791 | 2587 | 1581 | 1547 | 1420 | 495 | 396 | 239 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-on | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:04PM1.50m | 6:40AM1.42m | 6:54PM1.50m | 7:27AM1.44m | 7:46PM1.50m | 8:15AM1.48m | 8:39PM1.52m | 9:01AM1.53m | 9:29PM1.55m | 9:47AM1.59m | 10:17PM1.57m | 10:35AM1.64m | 11:05PM1.60m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:52AM0.71m | 00:46AM0.72m | 12:39PM0.70m | 1:33AM0.70m | 1:29PM0.68m | 2:19AM0.69m | 2:21PM0.67m | 3:05AM0.67m | 3:15PM0.66m | 3:50AM0.66m | 4:07PM0.64m | 4:36AM0.63m | 4:58PM0.61m | ||||||||
7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Feels °C | 4 | 4 | 2 | -4 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | SSW 11 | NW 5 | SE 16 | SE 15 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 9 | SSE 10 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 |
40 | 25 | 32 | 153 | 145 | 2582 | 992 | 485 | 297 | 113 | 125 | 2032 | 5992 | 4791 | 2587 | 1581 | 1547 | 1420 | 495 | 396 | 239 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | ESE 11 | SE 15 | E 13 | E 12 | SE 14 | SSE 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSE 10 | S 12 | SE 10 | — | — | — | S 16 | S 16 | SE 16 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 9 |
28 | 23 | 82 | 30 | 11 | 149 | 198 | 209 | 128 | 85 | 151 | 28 | — | — | — | 630 | 701 | 41 | 327 | 255 | 103 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | SE 16 | SSW 11 | — | — | E 10 | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 22 | SE 12 | SSW 9 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | SE 18 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 |
14 | 38 | 11 | — | — | 8 | 61 | 180 | 9 | 66 | 69 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 41 | 35 | 69 | 87 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | NW 5 | SW 4 | SSW 11 | S 12 | — | NW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 6 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 2 |
221 | 103 | 18 | 6218 | 5094 | — | 3 | 11 | 47 | 16 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 63 | 116 | 15 | 110 | 206 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 59 | 169 | 59 | 59 | 210 | 63 | 129 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











