Lyall Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.33° S 174.80° E

Lyall Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Lyall Bay sea temperature is
13.3°C
1.4° 

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 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, S swell with 2,136 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Lyall Bay in the next 16 days are 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 7s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Mon 7th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Best Surf 3PM (Mon 7th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful12PM (Mon 7th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Lyall Bay has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag. The first real surfable window kicks off on Wednesday morning, September 2nd. We’re looking at a solid 5ft south swell rolling in with a very long 17-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is strong at (2959). The wind is howling out of the NNW at 19 mph, but it’s offshore, so it’ll be clean. That long period means the waves will have plenty of punch and shape, but at a beach break like this, it might wall up a bit. Water temp is sitting at 56°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The crowds here are sometimes a factor, so you might have some company.

The rest of the first week cools right off. Thursday gets a bit smaller and the wind picks up, making it not worth the paddle. Friday through Sunday are all small, messy, and blown out, with strong winds making it a real struggle. There’s a good stretch of days here with no real recommendation.

Now, let’s skip ahead to Monday, September 7th. This one is a standout, but it’s for the brave only. The swell jumps to a massive 12ft from the south, with a short 8-second period. The combined energy is very strong (2098). The wind is a cross-onshore, which won’t be pretty. This is big, choppy, and honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. It’s too big for beginners and only for experienced surfers who know what they’re doing.

The week after that is a bit of a write-off. There’s a small window on Saturday, September 12th, with a 4ft south swell and a 9-second period. The wind is offshore from the north at 12 mph, keeping it clean. Combined energy is moderate (248). It’s a surfable wave, but nothing to get too excited about. Just ordinary conditions.

Looking way out to the second week, we’ve got a promising but less certain event. On Monday, September 14th, the swell goes absolutely mental – 16ft from the south with a 12-second period. The combined energy is monstrous (7126). The wind is howling offshore, but this is pure, unadulterated big-wave territory. It’s only for experts, and even then, it’s a serious call. The following day, Tuesday, September 15th, is slightly smaller at 13ft but still with a solid 11-second period and strong offshore wind. Again, experts only.

The period ends on Thursday, September 17th, with the swell dropping to 7ft from the SSE. The wind goes light and cross-offshore, and the forecast says expect very good surf conditions. That’s the one to keep an eye on, but it’s a long way out.

So, overall, the standout is the massive swell on the 14th and 15th for the big-wave crew, and the cleaner, more manageable conditions on the 17th for everyone else. Keep your wits about you, it’s going to be a wild ride.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NW on Thu night, fresh winds from the NW by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NNW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the E by Mon night).

Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
2
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
S
13
2.4
S
14
1.9
S
13
1.3
S
12
1
S
12
0.8
S
11
0.4
SSW
10
0.4
S
9
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
10
0.6
SSW
16
0.5
SSW
16
0.3
SSW
16
3.5
SSW
8
3.5
S
10
2
S
9
1.3
S
9
1.2
S
9
2.2
S
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1491
2313
1189
472
262
146
33
26
21
21
154
102
188
142
50
1263
2098
651
264
210
577
Wind (km/h)
30
NNW
40
NNW
40
NW
40
NW
45
NNW
45
NNW
55
NW
40
WNW
45
WNW
25
NW
35
NW
45
NW
45
NNW
50
NNW
40
NW
40
S
20
SSE
20
N
25
NW
15
S
5
ENE
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
cross-on
off
cross-off
on
glassy
High Tide
9:10PM1.59m
9:27AM1.67m
10:00PM1.61m
10:16AM1.71m
10:48PM1.62m
11:08AM1.73m
11:37PM1.62m
12:02PM1.74m
00:30AM1.61m
12:56PM1.74m
1:26AM1.59m
1:52PM1.74m
2:24AM1.58m
Low Tide
3:02PM0.62m
3:27AM0.63m
3:55PM0.59m
4:15AM0.59m
4:46PM0.55m
5:04AM0.55m
5:36PM0.51m
5:52AM0.51m
6:25PM0.49m
6:41AM0.48m
7:15PM0.48m
7:33AM0.47m
8:07PM0.49m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:43
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:57
5:58
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
 mm
1
3
6
Temp °C
13
14
14
14
14
15
15
15
12
13
14
13
13
13
13
11
10
12
12
12
11
Feels °C
5
6
6
5
6
6
7
6
3
7
7
6
4
3
6
3
5
5
6
8
8
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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