
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s period, SSW swell with 1,808 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 with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lyall Bay in the next 16 days are 2.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 12AM.
| 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) | 8ft (2.4m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what Lyall Bay has cooking over the next couple of weeks.
Right now, the first few days are a total write-off – Tuesday through Thursday bring tiny, messy waves with strong NNW winds, nothing worth paddling out for. The water’s sitting at about 53°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, no real surprise there.
The first real chance comes on Friday the 17th. The morning has a bit of swell but it’s crossing up, nothing special. But Friday afternoon – that’s the standout. A solid 7 ft S swell rolling in, period around 13 seconds, light N offshore breeze at 6 mph. The combined energy is pumping at 1874 (that’s strong energy). That’s a proper clean session, but heads up – that size is more for experienced surfers. Beginners, give it a miss. The break’s fairly exposed to S swells and with offshore N wind, it’ll be lined up nice. Crowds can pop up here sometimes, but with that quality it might be worth a look.
Saturday the 18th drops right off – 3 ft ESE, moderate offshore but the energy’s down (590), just ordinary conditions. Sunday is a no-go with onshores.
Then Monday the 20th brings another nice window. Morning sees 5 ft S swell, 14 seconds, NE cross-off at 6 mph – clean, 841 energy. And the afternoon gets glassy – NW 3 mph, same 5 ft S swell, 863 energy. That’s a sweet day for a more relaxed session.
After that, Tuesday the 21st has 4 ft S with gentle offshore N wind, clean, but energy slips to 646. Wednesday and Thursday drop further into the ordinary zone. By Friday the 24th we’re back to tiny slop.
The second week looks pretty flat overall. There’s a glimpse on the 25th with tiny 1 ft ESE glassy conditions but nothing to get excited about. Then Sunday the 26th onward gets blown out with strong S onshores.
Lyall Bay is an inconsistent spot, so these long gaps aren’t unusual. If you’re keen, the 17th afternoon is your best shot – just be ready for a proper size. Otherwise Monday the 20th is a solid, more manageable option.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | SSW 9 | E 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | ESE 14 | SSW 15 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 10 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | S 23 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
16 | 7 | 14 | 26 | 24 | 36 | 23 | 52 | 147 | 1233 | 1556 | 562 | 367 | 347 | 505 | 772 | 540 | 449 | 747 | 736 | 715 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | off | off | off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:20PM1.85m | 5:00AM1.65m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:06AM0.51m | 10:48PM0.52m | 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 | ||||||||
7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | E 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 10 | S 9 | ESE 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 |
16 | 7 | 14 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 52 | 147 | 1233 | 1556 | 562 | 212 | 347 | 499 | 772 | 540 | 449 | 747 | 736 | 715 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | E 10 | S 8 | E 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 6 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | S 9 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 |
8 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 277 | 318 | 403 | 367 | 127 | 261 | 222 | 172 | 99 | 94 | 91 | 49 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 12 | S 18 | S 8 | NW 16 | ESE 14 | SW 9 | SW 9 | NW 6 | — | — | — | S 24 | SSW 23 | S 23 | — | S 21 | S 19 | — | SE 12 | ESE 11 |
— | 3 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 36 | 3 | 3 | 14 | — | — | — | 11 | 176 | 505 | — | 36 | 190 | — | 36 | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 2 | SSW 4 | S 5 | S 6 | — | — | ENE 3 |
178 | 207 | 243 | 98 | 49 | 160 | 216 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 27 | 77 | 86 | — | — | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 108 | 108 | 108 | 59 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 59 | 59 | 59 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.










