Lyall Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.33° S 174.80° E

Lyall Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 16 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Lyall Bay sea temperature is
11.6° C
0.7° 

Lyall Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Lyall Bay surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 22s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 22s period, SSW swell with 2,947 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. 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 1.7m 22s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 17th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 16s
Best Surf 3PM (Sat 18th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 22s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 18th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 22s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Lyall Bay. We’ve got a slow start, but things look like they’ll kick into gear for the weekend.

Right now, the water’s sitting at 53°, which is a touch under 2°F cooler than usual for this time of year, so it’s a bit nippy, but nothing crazy.

The next few days are a write-off for a decent paddle. Thursday the 16th is flat with a messy cross-off wind, so don’t even bother. Friday morning the 17th is where we finally see a pulse – a 3ft groundswell from the ESE with a super long 16-second period. The wind is offshore from the NNE, so it’ll be clean. It’s a bit inconsistent though, so you’ll have to wait for the sets, but the shape should be good for a beginner-friendly wave. The energy is moderate (694).

The real standout is Saturday afternoon, the 18th. The swell jumps to 6ft from the SSW, with a very long 22-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy (3289). The wind stays offshore from the N, so it’ll be clean and lined up. This is an excellent wave, but at 6ft, it’s getting into that size where you want to be comfortable in the water. It’s not for total beginners. This is the best session on offer.

Sunday the 19th still has some size, 5ft from the SSW and a long 15-second period, with light offshore winds in the afternoon. It’s a good option, but not quite as strong as Saturday.

The following week sees a drop in size. Monday the 20th is messy with onshore wind. Tuesday the 21st has a fun 6ft SSW swell again, but it’s a bit bigger. The afternoon looks clean with a light offshore from the N, making it another good option for experienced surfers. The energy is strong (1894).

After that, we get a lull. Wednesday the 22nd to Thursday the 24th sees the swell drop right off, with small, weak waves. There’s a decent gap of poor or small surf from the 23rd to the 25th. Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th are blown out by strong winds.

Then, towards the end of the month, Sunday the 26th afternoon brings back a clean 6ft S swell with a light cross-off wind. That’s a solid end to the forecast. The morning of the 31st of July shows a punchy 7ft SSW swell, but it’s only 8 seconds, so it’ll be a steep, dumpy wave. That’s strictly for experts.

Overall, the best bet is Saturday afternoon the 18th of July for the best combo of size, wind, and period.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Thu morning, calm by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue morning).

Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
3
3
3
2
4
3
3
3
3
1
0
0
3
4
3
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
ESE
14
0.3
ESE
16
0.5
ESE
16
0.8
ESE
16
1.3
SSW
15
0.9
ESE
15
0.6
S
24
1.7
SSW
22
1.6
S
20
1.6
SSW
16
1.5
SSW
15
1.5
S
14
1.5
S
13
1.6
S
13
1.6
S
14
1.9
S
17
1.8
S
17
1.6
S
14
1.4
S
12
1.3
S
12
1
S
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
37
52
147
284
744
387
404
2947
2037
1180
948
938
812
919
929
2124
1815
1033
603
488
260
Wind (km/h)
35
NW
20
SSE
10
NNE
20
NNE
20
NNW
15
NE
25
N
25
N
5
SSW
5
ESE
10
N
25
N
20
W
30
S
30
S
10
SSE
10
N
25
NNE
10
N
10
N
10
NNE
Wind State
cross-off
on
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-on
cross
off
off
cross
on
on
cross-on
off
off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
6:20PM1.81m
6:57AM1.65m
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
Low Tide
12:05PM0.45m
00:53AM0.49m
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
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:41
7:41
7:41
7:39
7:39
7:39
7:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:13
5:14
5:15
5:15
 mm
2
Temp °C
14
11
10
11
11
10
10
11
10
11
11
11
11
10
10
10
10
10
11
12
10
Feels °C
8
7
7
7
7
6
3
6
9
9
8
6
7
3
3
8
6
5
9
9
8
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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