Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 2,190 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period. 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 2.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) 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 3.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
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.
Well, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead. The next few days are pretty much a write-off. Strong winds are gonna mess things up, and the surf quality is just not there. We’re looking at a frustrating gap for the first couple of days, with nothing worth paddling out for.
Now, if you’re patient, things start to look a little more promising around Monday the 24th of August. We’ve got a solid pulse of 8ft SSW groundswell rolling in, with a nice long 13-second period. The energy is strong (2130) and it’s packing some punch. The wind is light and offshore on Monday afternoon, so it’ll be clean. This is likely the best window, but remember, that size is pushing it for beginners – this one’s for the experienced crew. The swell direction lines up nicely with what Lyall Bay likes.
Moving into Tuesday the 25th, the swell drops back a bit, and the wind picks up again, so the quality fades. There are a few other moments scattered through the week where the swell has some size, like Thursday the 27th with 5ft SSW swell and a very long 15-second period, and Monday the 31st with a 7ft SSW swell. But the winds are never quite perfect, or there’s some onshore component, leaving the surf just marginal at best.
The second week is a real mixed bag, mostly on the small side or blown out. The standout, if you can call it that, is Monday the 24th of August. That afternoon session with the clean, offshore wind and solid SSW groundswell is the one to aim for. Water temps are about 52°, which feels a touch cool for this time of year.
So, to sum it up – there’s a real shortage of quality here. The best bet is that Monday window, but don't expect a classic. The rest of the fortnight is largely a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NNW on Sat night, light winds from the N by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Wed night, strong winds from the NNW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | S 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
191 | 188 | 98 | 31 | 16 | 51 | 2123 | 1739 | 661 | 345 | 214 | 276 | 301 | 276 | 1077 | 1137 | 648 | 406 | 584 | 480 | 191 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 12:22PM1.59m | 00:39AM1.51m | 1:05PM1.58m | 1:24AM1.48m | 1:46PM1.56m | 2:09AM1.44m | 2:27PM1.54m | 2:54AM1.42m | 3:09PM1.52m | 3:39AM1.41m | 3:54PM1.51m | 4:26AM1.41m | 4:42PM1.51m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:44PM0.69m | 6:48AM0.72m | 7:25PM0.70m | 7:27AM0.73m | 8:05PM0.70m | 8:07AM0.73m | 8:46PM0.71m | 8:51AM0.72m | 9:30PM0.72m | 9:38AM0.71m | 10:20PM0.72m | 10:28AM0.70m | 11:15PM0.73m | ||||||||
7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
191 | 188 | 98 | 31 | 16 | 51 | 2123 | 1739 | 661 | 345 | 214 | 276 | 301 | 276 | 1077 | 1137 | 648 | 404 | 584 | 480 | 191 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | E 15 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | NW 9 | SE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSE 10 | NW 7 | NW 6 | ESE 4 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | S 16 | E 16 | SE 15 | SSW 12 |
5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 19 | 7 | 19 | 20 | 83 | 120 | 32 | 37 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 7 | 406 | 5 | 9 | 113 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 15 | — | S 16 | S 15 | SE 13 | — | — | — | SE 14 | SE 14 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | — | — | SE 14 |
3 | 4 | — | 5 | 4 | 7 | — | — | — | 7 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 7 | 6 | — | — | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 6 | WNW 5 | NW 8 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 6 | NW 5 | WNW 4 | — | SE 3 | E 4 | — | NNW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 6 |
437 | 236 | 550 | 886 | 202 | 72 | 17 | 34 | 19 | 178 | 73 | 38 | — | 5 | 16 | — | 128 | 189 | 202 | 228 | 233 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 63 | 115 | 126 | 131 | 116 | 116 | 1 | 54 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 55 | 63 | 63 | 108 | 59 |
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.











