
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 9s period, S swell with 4,119 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. 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 5.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) 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 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 16ft (5.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s talk surf in feet and Fahrenheit – same deal, different numbers.
First week is a write-off. From Wednesday July 8th through Saturday the 11th, it’s all onshore, blown-out, and messy. Big swell but all wind-slop. Not worth paddling, mate.
Sunday the 12th finally turns it around. Lyall Bay (Wellington) sees light, clean northerly winds and a small but rideable 3ft SSW groundswell with a 12-second period. The combined wave energy is weak (278). Water temp is 55° – dead average for this time of year. The break is inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting for sets, but with offshore flow it’ll look cleaner than the size suggests. Crowds might show on a Sunday, but the tiny surf should keep it quiet.
Then back into a lull. Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th have strong offshore winds making those 0.9ft to 0.6ft waves nearly impossible to paddle into – too clean and weak. Wednesday 15th is flat.
A glimmer on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th – ESE swell, 3ft to 4ft, with a longer 13 to 14-second period. Light cross-off winds, clean. Energy is moderate (431 and 461). Fun small-wave sessions.
The standout, and the one to plan for, is Saturday 18th. We’ve got a solid 7ft SE groundswell with a 13-second period, and by afternoon it goes glassy – zero wind. Combined wave energy is strong (1320). That’s the best day of the outlook. Swell direction is straight out of the south-east, spot on for this break. Sunday 19th keeps some fun 4ft waves, and Monday 20th is smaller but clean. Wednesday 22nd brings a big 12ft SSW swell – too big for most, only for experts; the afternoon of the 22nd cleans up to 8ft with light offshore winds.
So, mark Saturday 18th. That’s your day. First week is a bust, second week has small clean windows, but that Saturday is the real deal.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed morning, min 7°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the S on Wed night, moderate winds from the S by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, strong winds from the NNW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 7 | ESE 10 | S 6 | ESE 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
384 | 473 | 2832 | 3515 | 2640 | 1793 | 603 | 263 | 247 | 137 | 216 | 280 | 205 | 161 | 104 | 50 | 33 | 30 | 14 | 9 | 9 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:55AM1.58m | 11:23PM1.58m | 11:44AM1.63m | 00:12AM1.61m | 12:36PM1.69m | 1:04AM1.64m | 1:30PM1.75m | 2:01AM1.65m | 2:26PM1.80m | 3:01AM1.65m | 3:22PM1.83m | 4:01AM1.66m | 4:20PM1.85m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:09PM0.65m | 5:41AM0.63m | 6:00PM0.63m | 6:26AM0.62m | 6:52PM0.61m | 7:15AM0.60m | 7:47PM0.58m | 8:07AM0.58m | 8:44PM0.55m | 9:05AM0.55m | 9:44PM0.53m | 10:06AM0.51m | 10:48PM0.52m | ||||||||
7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | |
— | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | |
mm | 7 | 3 | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 5 | 3 | -1 | -3 | -2 | -2 | -1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | E 9 | — | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
90 | 87 | — | 121 | 143 | 226 | 427 | 263 | 129 | 137 | 139 | 280 | 205 | 161 | 104 | 50 | 31 | 30 | 14 | 9 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 10 | SSW 17 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | S 9 | E 13 |
37 | 37 | — | — | — | — | 181 | 47 | 44 | 31 | 216 | 117 | 73 | 51 | 32 | 14 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 20 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 | S 21 | SSW 18 | S 9 | — | — | — | SSW 15 | E 10 | SSW 13 | E 10 | — | S 13 | S 18 |
— | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 123 | 9 | 114 | 43 | — | — | — | 21 | 2 | 33 | 2 | — | 3 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 5 |
384 | 473 | 2832 | 3515 | 2640 | 1793 | 603 | 261 | 247 | 92 | 31 | — | — | — | 8 | 57 | 88 | 115 | 106 | 207 | 106 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 145 | 201 | 206 | 110 | 210 | 206 | 110 | 110 | 63 | 63 | 59 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 54 | 59 | 61 | 59 | 108 | 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.










