Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 10s period, S swell with 5,109 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period with SSE 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. 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 5.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's get into it.
Look, we’ve got a bit of a rough patch to work through here at Lyall Bay. The first week is mostly a write-off, with a lot of onshore wind and messy conditions, but there’s some serious light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t get too excited about the early days.
We start off Tuesday the 11th of August with a solid 7ft southerly swell, but a howling 12 mph southerly wind is making a mess of things. The combined swell energy is 792, so there’s power there, but it's unrideable with that wind. The water temp is 54°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. Wednesday the 12th is a write-off with tiny surf.
Things stay poor through the end of the week. A massive 16ft southerly swell rolls in on Monday the 17th with a huge combined energy of 4900, but again, it’s blown out by 25 mph southerly winds. This is strictly for kite surfers, not paddle surfers.
Now, here’s where it gets good. Wednesday the 19th of August is the real standout. We’ve got a solid 6ft S swell with a long period of 16 seconds, and a light offshore wind from the NNW. That’s going to produce clean, powerful lines. The combined energy is a beefy 1795. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The swell direction matches the optimum S direction perfectly.
Then Thursday the 20th is an absolute gem. We get an 8ft S swell with a 14-second period and the wind goes glassy – zero wind. The combined energy is 2436. That’s your session. Clean, strong, and lined up. Crowds at Lyall Bay can be a factor, so get out early.
Friday the 21st of August still has decent 6ft S swell with a 11-second period and cross-off wind. The combined energy drops to 755, but it’s still a good session.
The following week has a few more promising windows. Tuesday the 25th of August afternoon brings a big 8ft S swell with a 14-second period, 3053 combined energy, and light cross-off wind. That’s another expert-level day. Wednesday the 26th has 7ft S swell but onshore wind, so that’s a pass.
So to sum it up: the first week is a dud. The real action is Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th, with a possible bonus on Tuesday the 25th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Fri night, near gales from the SSW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 11 | S 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 645 | 324 | 198 | 94 | 52 | 46 | 27 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 106 | 19 | 55 | 86 | 80 | 230 | 666 | 4716 | 4900 | 3219 | 1464 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | on | on | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 3:04PM1.79m | 3:41AM1.60m | 4:02PM1.77m | 4:39AM1.60m | 5:01PM1.75m | 5:37AM1.60m | 6:00PM1.72m | 6:34AM1.61m | 6:58PM1.68m | 7:30AM1.63m | 7:55PM1.65m | 8:23AM1.64m | 8:49PM1.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:22PM0.50m | 9:45AM0.47m | 10:24PM0.51m | 10:46AM0.45m | 11:28PM0.53m | 11:45AM0.45m | 00:28AM0.54m | 12:44PM0.47m | 1:24AM0.56m | 1:42PM0.51m | 2:17AM0.58m | 2:40PM0.55m | |||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | |  | |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | | |
 | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — |
 | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 3 | 0 | -2 | -3 | -3 | -1 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SSW 5 | ESE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | — | — | E 10 |
| kJ | 133 | 324 | 198 | 94 | 47 | 40 | 27 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 86 | 80 | 13 | 14 | 134 | — | — | 143 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 7 | SSW 17 | SE 13 | ESE 7 | ESE 13 | SE 12 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 14 | 84 | 31 | 29 | 52 | 46 | 27 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 18 | 55 | 7 | 18 | 16 | 6 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | S 13 | S 13 | S 10 | E 13 | NW 7 | SE 14 | SE 14 | NNW 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | ESE 14 | SSW 4 | SE 11 | SE 14 | SE 10 | S 20 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 8 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | ENE 3 | NE 3 | NNW 4 | NW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 3 | SSW 2 | S 5 | SE 3 | E 3 | ESE 7 | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 645 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 23 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 106 | 2 | 6 | 48 | 21 | 230 | 666 | 4716 | 4900 | 3219 | 1464 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 63 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 44 | 38 | 0 | 27 | 38 | 129 | 110 | 110 | 110 | 110 | 110 | 63 |
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.
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