
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 23s period, S swell with 2,343 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 16s period. 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 1.5m 23s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) 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 1.9m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 23s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Lyall Bay. It’s a bit of a slow start, to be honest. There’s a few days of tiny, weak waves with strong winds, so you’re not missing much. Water temp is sitting at 53°, which is about 2° cooler than normal for this time of year – not a massive shock, but you’ll notice it’s a touch nippy.
The first real chance of a surf comes in on Friday the 17th of July. The morning looks promising with a 5ft south swell, but it’s the afternoon that’s the standout. The swell bumps up to 5ft from the south, with a long 14-second period, and the wind whips around from the north at 16 mph, blowing offshore. That’s going to produce clean, lined-up waves. The combined energy is moderate (1269), so there’s enough push to get you into some fun ones. An honest size for a confident beginner, but the period is long, so it might wall up a bit at the beach.
Then, Saturday the 18th of July offers a sneaky good one. The afternoon goes glassy with a light WNW breeze, and the swell drops to 3ft but from the south with a massive 23-second period. The combined energy sits at 1117 – sounds like a lot of power for a small wave. That long period means it’ll be really clean, with long waits between sets. Perfect for a log or a mid-length, but it’ll be a bit testy if you’re a beginner.
The next real highlight is Monday the 20th of July. The morning is the best of the whole run. You’ve got a solid 6ft south swell, 14-second period, and a light north wind blowing offshore. The combined energy is strong (1394), and the wind is light. This is a proper session for experienced surfers, but it’s getting up there in size. Could be a bit too much for a learner, but if you’re comfortable, it’s the pick of the bunch.
After that, the surf fades. From the 21st of July through to the 30th, it’s mostly small, weak, and messy. The wind stays strong and cross-off, and the swell drops off. The 27th and 28th have a bit of size but the wind is howling, and the period is short, so it’s not going to be pretty. The final week is a write-off with tiny waves and strong winds.
So, for the best surf: Monday the 20th of July morning is the standout for experienced surfers, with a solid 6ft south swell and clean offshore wind. For a more relaxed session, Friday the 17th of July afternoon is your best bet for a fun, clean wave.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Sat morning, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | ESE 14 | SSW 15 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | S 11 | S 14 | S 12 | ESE 14 | S 23 | S 21 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
26 | 24 | 36 | 23 | 52 | 147 | 441 | 951 | 393 | 362 | 674 | 1985 | 1502 | 1117 | 1411 | 1322 | 1243 | 862 | 497 | 322 | 240 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 5:20PM1.84m | 5:59AM1.65m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:06AM0.48m | 11:52PM0.50m | 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 | ||||||||
7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | ESE 14 | NW 6 | ESE 16 | S 11 | S 14 | S 12 | S 10 | ESE 14 | S 21 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
26 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 30 | 147 | 441 | 951 | 390 | 196 | 337 | 1985 | 1502 | 1117 | 1411 | 1322 | 1243 | 862 | 497 | 322 | 240 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | SSW 15 | ESE 16 | S 7 | SSW 14 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | SSW 9 | ESE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 |
11 | 14 | 17 | 23 | 52 | 17 | 265 | 318 | 393 | 362 | 106 | 232 | 178 | 172 | 101 | 72 | 56 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | NW 16 | ESE 14 | SW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | ESE 16 | — | — | S 24 | S 23 | ESE 14 | — | — | SE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | 10 | 36 | 3 | 22 | 42 | 284 | — | — | 12 | 674 | 123 | — | — | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 5 | SSE 4 | — | — | — | NW 4 | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 |
67 | 61 | 115 | 216 | 17 | 5 | — | — | — | 18 | — | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 11 | 24 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 54 | 77 | 108 | 77 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 110 | 27 | 110 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 38 | 38 |
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.










