Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, S swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 11s period, S swell with 8,004 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lyall Bay in the next 16 days are 6.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM. 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 20ft (6.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way.
First off, I gotta be straight with you – the next few days are a write-off. We’ve got a big, messy Southerly swell pouring in, but the wind is howling straight onshore, and that combo is just ugly. We’re looking at Monday the 17th through to Wednesday the 19th with solid, powerful surf but absolutely no quality. The wave energy is through the roof with readings like 988 and even 4651 on the Tuesday arvo, but it’s all wind-battered and unsurfable. Don’t even bother.
Things start to turn around on Thursday morning, the 20th. That’s our window. Lyall Bay eases down to a clean 6ft Southerly swell, and the wind swings to a light Northerly – that’s offshore, and it’s going to be clean. Wave energy drops back to a moderate 483, which is way more manageable. This is the best on offer for the whole outlook, so mark it. Thursday arvo stays clean too, with 5ft Southerly swell and a gentle offshore breeze. The water temp is sitting at about 54°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, no drama there.
After that, the wind gets messy again from Friday the 21st onward. Strong cross-offshore breezes are going to make things tricky, even though the swell sticks around at around 4ft to 4ft with some nice long period energy (13 to 16 seconds). That long period is a quality sign – better shaped waves, but it’s gonna be hard work with 28 to 31 mph winds tearing across the face. Not ideal.
There’s a big gap of poor conditions from the 22nd right through the 25th. Swell sizes drop, but the wind stays strong. We get a spike of bigger swell again on the 25th Tuesday arvo (7ft, SSW, period 15 seconds, energy at 1666), but it’s blown out by a near gale from the NNW. No good for a paddle.
By the 30th of August, there’s a tiny moment of hope – Sunday morning shows a glassy 2ft Southerly swell with no wind. It’s small, but clean. That’s about the only other chance you’ll get. The 1st of September gives a similar little window: a glassy 2ft to 2ft and dead calm. Not much power, but you can get wet.
Bottom line: if you want a proper surf, Thursday the 20th is your day. The rest of the two weeks is mostly wind-affected or just too small.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSW on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu morning, near gales from the NW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 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 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 6 | S 8 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 14 | S 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 734 | 416 | 205 | 1087 | 4642 | 7426 | 4283 | 4122 | 1604 | 439 | 342 | 511 | 836 | 427 | 279 | 149 | 102 | 73 | 30 | 21 | 273 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:49PM1.63m | 9:14AM1.65m | 9:40PM1.61m | 10:02AM1.64m | 10:28PM1.60m | 10:50AM1.63m | 11:13PM1.57m | 11:37AM1.61m | 11:56PM1.55m | 12:22PM1.59m | 00:39AM1.51m | 1:05PM1.58m | 1:24AM1.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:40PM0.55m | 3:08AM0.61m | 3:35PM0.59m | 3:57AM0.64m | 4:27PM0.63m | 4:44AM0.66m | 5:16PM0.66m | 5:28AM0.69m | 6:02PM0.68m | 6:09AM0.71m | 6:44PM0.69m | 6:48AM0.72m | 7:25PM0.70m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | |  | | |
 | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — |
 | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SE 8 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | — | SE 13 | ESE 14 | S 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 6 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 222 | 269 | 86 | 47 | 9 | — | 6 | 18 | 1604 | 439 | 342 | 511 | 836 | 427 | 279 | 149 | 102 | 73 | 30 | 13 | 273 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | SE 15 | ESE 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | SE 12 | SE 11 | S 17 | S 16 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 9 | SE 13 |
| kJ | 9 | 8 | 56 | 78 | — | — | — | — | 23 | 20 | 87 | 193 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 15 | SE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | ESE 11 | SE 12 | E 9 | ESE 12 | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | — | S 14 | SSW 15 | E 13 |
| kJ | 23 | 9 | 19 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | 12 | 23 | 2 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 21 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 6 | S 8 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 14 | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 5 | NNW 4 | NW 6 |
| kJ | 734 | 416 | 205 | 1087 | 4642 | 7426 | 4283 | 4122 | — | — | — | 40 | 257 | 381 | 52 | 316 | 311 | 465 | 120 | 54 | 224 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 63 | 151 | 63 | 63 | 195 | 206 | 110 | 129 | 59 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 61 | 63 | 63 | 63 | 77 | 126 | 77 | 54 | 108 |
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.
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