
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 19s period, S swell with 4,141 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s 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 19) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lyall Bay in the next 16 days are 2.4m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Lyall Bay over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way. The first real standout window is this Saturday afternoon, the 18th of July. The water temp is sitting at 53°, which is pretty much bang on for this time of year, nothing unusual there. That afternoon, we’ll see a solid 6ft south swell, with a very long 22-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, and it’s got a heap of energy behind it – the combined energy reading is 3196, so it’s packing a punch. The wind is a clean offshore from the north, which will keep the surface glassy. This is the pick of the week, but it’s no beginner wave at that size – it’s more for the experienced crew. The long period means it’ll be a bit straight at times, but with the offshore wind, it’ll still be good.
Sunday morning the 19th looks a bit ordinary. The wind is onshore from the south, and the swell is still there at 5ft, but the quality drops right off. By Sunday afternoon, it’s a write-off with strong onshore winds.
Monday the 20th is a bit of a tease. The swell is building, hitting 6ft in the morning and 8ft in the afternoon, with a decent 19-second period on the afternoon session. But the wind is cross-onshore from the south-southeast, messing up the surface. The combined energy jumps to 4196 in the afternoon, which is serious, but it’s just not clean. It’s a bit of a frustrating one.
Tuesday the 21st is a return to form. The north offshore wind comes back, and we’ve got 6ft of south swell in the morning, dropping to 5ft in the afternoon. The energy is still moderate (1284 in the morning, 919 in the afternoon), and the waves will be clean. This is another solid day, but it’s not quite as punchy as Saturday.
After that, things drop off. Wednesday the 22nd starts with a tiny 2ft swell and glassy conditions, but it’s small. The rest of the week and into the next is a long, quiet period. From Thursday the 23rd right through to the end of the month, the swell is mostly under 3ft, and the wind is often howling from the north or northwest, making it hard to paddle into. There’s a brief moment on Saturday the 25th with a 4ft swell and glassy conditions, but the period is short (7 seconds), so it’s just ordinary.
The beginning of August doesn’t look much better. The 1st and 2nd have some knee-high swell, but the wind is strong onshore from the south-southwest, so it’s a no-go. The standouts are clearly this Saturday the 18th and Tuesday the 21st. If you’re an experienced surfer, Saturday afternoon is the one to aim for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the N by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu night, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the NNW by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 20 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 19 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2245 | 1210 | 1088 | 1373 | 1097 | 4141 | 2431 | 1225 | 888 | 488 | 300 | 107 | 131 | 57 | 49 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 4 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | off | off | off | on | on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy |
High Tide | 8:48AM1.66m | 9:14PM1.69m | 9:40AM1.66m | 10:08PM1.66m | 10:31AM1.66m | 10:58PM1.63m | 11:21AM1.65m | 11:46PM1.60m | 12:11PM1.63m | 00:31AM1.58m | 12:59PM1.62m | 1:17AM1.54m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:44AM0.51m | 3:01PM0.49m | 3:37AM0.53m | 3:59PM0.54m | 4:27AM0.57m | 4:53PM0.58m | 5:15AM0.61m | 5:45PM0.63m | 6:00AM0.65m | 6:33PM0.67m | 6:43AM0.70m | 7:19PM0.71m | |||||||
— | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 5 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 20 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 19 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 7 |
2245 | 1210 | 1088 | 1373 | 1097 | 4141 | 2431 | 1225 | 888 | 488 | 300 | 85 | 131 | 57 | 49 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 4 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | S 19 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 12 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 11 | S 8 |
229 | 175 | 170 | 99 | 472 | 55 | 50 | 31 | 31 | 24 | 11 | 107 | 48 | 17 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 19 | SE 12 | — | — | — | — | N 4 | — | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 12 | SE 11 | S 12 | S 10 | S 9 | S 13 |
— | — | — | 74 | 71 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 11 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | — | S 4 | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | — | SSW 3 | — | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 |
11 | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 16 | 4 | — | 1 | — | 32 | 102 | 165 | 279 | 115 | 17 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 27 | 59 | 116 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 38 | 38 | 0 | 38 | 108 | 108 | 139 | 110 | 25 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wellington | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










