Lyall Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Lyall Bay over the next couple of weeks.

Well, I gotta be honest with ya, the start of this run is pretty grim for a paddle. We’re looking at a whole lot of nothing for the first few days. Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th are just a write-off – tiny swell and howling offshore winds making it a nightmare to get out there. A few clean waves might be there, but the energy is super weak (59 to 72), so you’re just working for nothing.

Friday the 18th shows a bit of life. The morning’s a little messy with a light cross-onshore, but by the afternoon, the wind swings light offshore from the N, cleaning up a small 1ft SE swell. The period’s a nice 12 seconds, so there’s a bit of groundswell in there. Energy is moderate (225). Look, it’s not gonna blow your mind, but it’s the first rideable surf of the window.

Then it gets messy again. Saturday the 19th has strong offshore winds again – clean but brutal to paddle into with that 1ft wave. Sunday the 20th is a no-go – a big 10ft to 12ft SSW swell smashes in, but with howling onshore winds, it’s just a washing machine. Energy is massive though (1247 to 2293).

Monday the 21st is where it gets a bit more interesting. We’ve got a solid 8ft SSW groundswell in the morning, period 11 seconds, with a fresh N offshore wind. That’s a lot of power (1689), but for an inconsistent spot like Lyall Bay, and a beginner-friendly break, that’s pushing into expert territory. It’s only a marginal call. The afternoon drops to 6ft but the wind picks back up.

Tuesday the 22nd afternoon offers the best of a so-so week: a clean 5ft S swell with a gentle cross-off shore from the WNW. Energy is moderate (313). It’s not a standout, but it’s the comfiest wave of the early days.

After that, the middle of the week from Wednesday the 23rd to Thursday the 24th gets hammered by big, ugly onshore swells – 8ft to 12ft – all blown out. Not for paddling.

Now, here’s the one you want to keep an eye on. Friday the 25th of September is the standout of the whole run. The morning shows a gentle offshore from the NNW cleaning up a 2ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period. That’s real energy (378). Then the afternoon takes the cake: 4ft from the S, still a long 14-second period, and a light offshore from the NW. This is gentle, clean, and the best combination of size, wind, and power across the entire forecast. This is your session.

The weekend rolls in a bit smaller – Saturday the 26th has a 3ft S swell but onshore winds, so it’s messy. Sunday the 27th is tiny again, with clean but strong offshore winds that make it hard work.

The second week is more of a mixed bag. Tuesday the 29th looks weak and choppy. Wednesday the 30th of September brings a big 10ft S swell with strong cross-offshore winds – energy is massive (1504), but the winds are too strong for a comfortable paddle. Likely more of a kite day than a surf day. By Thursday the 1st of October, the swell drops but the winds are still howling near-gale force, so nothing worth chasing.

So, if you’re sitting on your hands, wait for Friday the 25th of September. That’s your best chance for a clean, fun session at Lyall Bay. Water temp is sitting about 56°F, which is about 2°F warmer than usual for this time of year, so a little spring warmth in the water – not bad.

Rusty.

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