
Surf Forecasts:
Lyall Bay surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, S swell with 1,471 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s 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 14) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 11s 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 3.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lyall Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Well, it’s a mixed bag for Lyall Bay over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got some real solid pulses of energy on the way, but the timing and size mean you’ve gotta pick your moments. The water temp is sitting at 55°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year.
The first proper chance kicks off Monday the 14th. Morning’s looking tidy with a clean 6ft S swell, 12-second period, and light offshore N winds. The combined energy is decent at 911 (moderate). It’s not massive, but it’s got shape and it’s clean. That afternoon stays clean with 5ft S swell, but it’s a notch smaller.
Tuesday the 15th drops off quick. Swell drops to under 3ft and the wind gets up to 15-18 mph from the N, still offshore but too breezy for good quality.
Wednesday the 16th is a write-off. Swell tiny, wind howling near 31 mph. Don’t bother.
Thursday the 17th morning has a weak 1ft swell, but the afternoon throws up a messy 8ft SSW swell with a short 7-second period and onshore wind. Looks more like a washing machine than surf.
Friday the 18th is no good either – onshore winds and a lumpy 5ft S swell.
Saturday the 19th morning is a brief highlight. Clean, offshore N breeze, and a 3ft SSW swell with a long 14-second period. Combined energy is 468 (moderate). That long period means it’ll have some grunt and better shape, but it’s small – better for a longboard or a funboard.
Sunday the 20th is similar. Clean, light offshore winds, 3ft SSW swell, 13-12 seconds. Smooth, but again, not big.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting – and a bit nuts. Tuesday the 22nd afternoon goes glassy with zero wind, and a 10ft SSW swell rolls in. That’s expert territory, way too big for beginners. The combined energy is 945 (moderate-strong). This is a big, powerful swell but it’s a beach break, so it’ll be closing out and dumping. For the experts only, and expect a crowd.
Wednesday the 23rd is even bigger. Morning hits 15ft SSW swell (4432 combined energy – very strong), then afternoon drops to 12ft S swell (2723). Both with offshore winds. This is massive, dangerous, and only for the most experienced. Beginners and intermediates, stay on the sand.
Thursday the 24th still has a 8-10ft SSE swell (2510-2651 energy) with strong offshore winds. Still too big for most, but if you’re a charger, that morning window with the 12-second period might have some corners.
Friday the 25th settles down. Afternoon looks the pick: a clean 5ft SSE swell, 10-second period, light offshore NNW breeze. Combined energy 526 (moderate). That’s the first day that’s genuinely approachable for a wider crew.
Saturday the 26th is blown out with strong onshore S winds, forget it.
Sunday the 27th morning is marginal with 5ft SSW swell and offshore wind, but the afternoon jumps back up to 10ft SE swell – too big again.
Monday the 28th and Tuesday the 29th are a mix of big swell and strong winds, not worth chasing.
Best on offer? Monday the 14th morning is your standout: clean 6ft S swell with a light offshore breeze and decent energy. It’s not a monster, but it’s the most user-friendly quality session of the whole run. For the brave, Tuesday the 22nd afternoon is glassy and huge, but only if you know what you’re doing.
Signing off, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Mon morning, near gales from the NNW by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Thu night, light winds from the SSE by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 6 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
911 | 655 | 275 | 131 | 85 | 37 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 41 | 509 | 1047 | 178 | 116 | 120 | 351 | 400 | 336 | 277 | 240 | 126 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | on | on | on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:30PM1.60m | 7:56AM1.64m | 8:22PM1.59m | 8:44AM1.64m | 9:11PM1.58m | 9:31AM1.63m | 9:57PM1.57m | 10:16AM1.61m | 10:39PM1.55m | 11:00AM1.58m | 11:20PM1.52m | 11:43AM1.56m | 00:00AM1.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:21PM0.59m | 1:46AM0.67m | 2:16PM0.63m | 2:35AM0.69m | 3:10PM0.66m | 3:22AM0.70m | 3:59PM0.68m | 4:08AM0.72m | 4:45PM0.68m | 4:51AM0.72m | 5:28PM0.67m | 5:31AM0.72m | 6:07PM0.67m | ||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 8 | -1 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | NNW 9 | SE 13 | SSE 6 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 |
911 | 655 | 275 | 131 | 85 | 37 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 28 | 25 | 8 | 84 | 68 | 99 | 351 | 400 | 336 | 277 | 240 | 126 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | S 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 5 | NNW 7 | SE 15 | SSW 16 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
— | — | 149 | 94 | 53 | 28 | 10 | 12 | 18 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 48 | 116 | 120 | 112 | 60 | 61 | 31 | 30 | 31 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 8 | SSW 14 | SE 15 | ESE 15 | SSW 10 | SSW 15 | S 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | NW 7 | — | SSW 15 |
— | — | 2 | 21 | 39 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 5 | 41 | 9 | 21 | 10 | 46 | 42 | 5 | 4 | — | 7 | — | 22 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 6 | — | NW 4 | — | NNW 3 | NW 6 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NW 5 |
— | — | 1 | 16 | 39 | 84 | 325 | 453 | 190 | 44 | 509 | 1047 | 178 | — | 7 | — | 10 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 91 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 38 | 54 | 77 | 77 | 108 | 54 | 54 | 110 | 88 | 126 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.










