Lyall Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.33° S 174.80° E

Lyall Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 25 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Lyall Bay sea temperature is
12.3° C
0.1° 

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 25 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, ESE swell with 504 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period with SE 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. 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 1.3m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore 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 30) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Tue 28th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 28th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Most Powerful12PM (Tue 28th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

First up, the water temp at Lyall Bay is sitting at 54°, which is bang on average for this time of year. Not a surprise there.

The start of the period is a bit of a write-off, to be honest. Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are a no-go; the wind is smashing it and the swell is chopped up. We’re looking at a gap of a few days before anything worthwhile appears.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Tuesday the 28th of July. The morning is looking clean with a light offshore breeze from the north, and a 3-foot swell running from the ESE at 12 to 13 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, so the waves will have some shape and energy behind them, though the combined energy is moderate (503). It’s not big, but it’ll be tidy. The afternoon holds the same, with a bit of a glassy feel. Lyall Bay is the spot here, but it can be inconsistent, so don’t expect a non-stop party.

Wednesday the 29th is a bit of a tease. The wind is offshore, but it’s a fresh 19 mph breeze, which is going to make it a bit tricky to paddle out and hold your line. The swell size is still that 3-foot, but the energy drops off (283). It’s more of a session for the keen and the local.

Now, hold onto your board. Saturday the 1st of August is a standout. The wind is almost nothing – a slight air from the north, glassy as can be. The swell is 2 feet from the SE, but with a very long period of 16 seconds. That’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is moderate (332), but the quality of the wave will be way better than the number suggests. It’ll be clean, and with no crowds to worry about, you could have a lovely time out there.

Sunday the 2nd of August for the morning is another good one. The swell picks up to 5 feet from the south, period drops to 9 seconds, but the wind is light and offshore, so it’ll be clean. The energy is moderate (495). That’s a fun, punchy little wave.

Then it gets messy again for a few days. The wind swings onshore and the swell gets lumpy. But then we get to a big event. Wednesday the 5th of August kicks off a big south swell. The morning shows an 12-foot swell from the south. That is a massive wave. The energy is very strong (2098). The wind is light and offshore, and the tide is favorable, but this is only for experienced surfers. It’s too big for beginners, and at a beach break, a long-period swell this size can be a handful. The afternoon is a bit smaller at 10 feet, still clean and offshore. This is the big one for the experts.

Friday the 7th of August afternoon is a real gem. The swell is 8 feet from the south, period of 12 seconds, and the wind is dead calm – glassy. That is a rare combination. The energy is very strong (1506). This is the best of the lot for experienced surfers. The waves will be clean, powerful, and organised. Saturday the 8th also holds clean, 7-foot swell from the south with a nice 11-12 second period. It’s a bit more manageable, but still a solid session.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a bit of a slow burn, but the real standouts are Saturday the 1st of August for a clean, glassy, long-period swell that’s great for all levels, and then Friday the 7th of August afternoon for the experienced crew looking for a powerful, glassy, proper south swell. The 5th of August is also on the radar for the big-wave hunters.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the NW by Thu morning).

Sat
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
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
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SSW
7
2.2
S
8
1.4
S
7
1.2
S
7
0.6
ESE
13
0.5
E
13
0.8
ESE
12
1.2
SE
13
0.9
ESE
12
0.9
ESE
13
1.1
ESE
13
0.9
ESE
13
0.9
ESE
12
0.8
ESE
12
0.6
ESE
12
0.5
ESE
12
0.4
ESE
11
0.3
SE
16
0.3
SE
15
0.6
SE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
640
581
210
147
118
95
172
466
224
280
421
265
217
164
111
77
40
41
43
116
Wind (km/h)
45
SSW
25
S
10
SSE
15
SSE
10
SW
15
SSW
15
S
5
S
10
NNE
10
N
15
N
30
N
35
N
45
NNW
40
NNW
45
NW
40
NNW
40
N
30
N
10
NE
Wind State
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
2:04AM1.51m
2:26PM1.60m
2:50AM1.48m
3:07PM1.58m
3:35AM1.45m
3:48PM1.55m
4:20AM1.43m
4:31PM1.53m
5:05AM1.41m
5:16PM1.51m
5:52AM1.41m
6:04PM1.50m
Low Tide
8:03PM0.73m
8:06AM0.76m
8:47PM0.75m
8:49AM0.77m
9:31PM0.76m
9:34AM0.77m
10:17PM0.76m
10:20AM0.75m
11:06PM0.75m
11:06AM0.73m
11:57PM0.74m
11:52AM0.71m
00:46AM0.72m
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:35
7:33
7:33
7:31
7:31
7:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:19
5:19
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:23
 mm
1
1
2
10
Temp °C
7
8
9
9
7
9
9
8
9
9
8
9
12
12
12
13
12
13
12
12
Feels °C
-3
-1
5
4
4
4
4
5
6
6
5
1
5
4
4
4
4
5
6
9
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  • 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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