Surf Forecasts:
Houghton Bay surf forecast from 6 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 10s period, S swell with 7,591 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Houghton Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Houghton Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Houghton Bay in the next 16 days are 6.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 20ft (6.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Houghton Bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, let’s break down what Houghton Bay (Houghton-Bay) is looking like. It’s a beach and reef spot, open to the south, and the water temp is 12°, which is what you’d normally expect for this time of year.
The first few days are rough. From Tuesday the 7th through Saturday the 11th, we’re dealing with some nasty onshore gales and a big, blown-out swell. On Thursday the 9th, we see 5.5m of swell with a combined energy of 6000, but it’s being smashed by 55 km/h southerlies. This is more of a kite-surfing show than a paddle session.
Things finally clean up on Sunday the 12th. A gentle north offshore breeze sets in, and the swell drops to 0.8m to 0.9m from the SSW, with a long 14-17 second period. It’s clean, but the energy is low – around 297 to 415. It’s a small, spread-out groundswell, so you’ll be waiting for the sets, but the paddle out will be easy.
Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th see the swell drop to almost nothing – 0.3m to 0.6m. A fresh offshore wind will have you skimming over flat sections. Not a goer.
There’s a spike on Thursday the 16th with a 3.5m south swell and a cross-offshore wind, but the combined energy is 1831 and it’s called marginal. That’s a lot of water moving around with a cross-off wind – it’ll be lumpy and closing out. Experts only.
The one to get excited about is Sunday the 19th. After a windy Saturday, the wind goes glassy – just 5 km/h from the north. The swell holds at 3.0m from the SSW, with a combined energy of 1778. The description says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s the real deal for anyone who can handle a wave over 2.5m. Circle that date.
Monday the 20th morning also looks good. Clean north offshore wind with a 1.9m south swell, 10-second period, and combined energy of 837. More user-friendly than the Sunday, a solid session for a strong intermediate.
After that, it fades out into small, windy conditions for the rest of the second week. The 19th is the clear standout, but it’s a long way out. Keep your eyes peeled on that one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 68mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (fresh winds from the SE on Tue morning, near gales from the S by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun night, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Fri night, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 8 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 17 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 585 | 661 | 1211 | 1101 | 1462 | 5659 | 6000 | 5126 | 2944 | 635 | 342 | 346 | 219 | 404 | 447 | 308 | 222 | 121 | 71 | 74 | 50 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | glassy | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:09AM1.53m | 10:36PM1.55m | 10:55AM1.58m | 11:23PM1.58m | 11:44AM1.63m | 00:12AM1.61m | 12:36PM1.69m | 1:04AM1.64m | 1:30PM1.75m | 2:01AM1.65m | 2:26PM1.80m | 3:01AM1.65m | 3:22PM1.83m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:19PM0.67m | 4:57AM0.65m | 5:09PM0.65m | 5:41AM0.63m | 6:00PM0.63m | 6:26AM0.62m | 6:52PM0.61m | 7:15AM0.60m | 7:47PM0.58m | 8:07AM0.58m | 8:44PM0.55m | 9:05AM0.55m | 9:44PM0.53m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  |  |  | | | | |  |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — |
 | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — |
mm | 6 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 18 | 20 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 5 | 5 | 2 | -1 | -2 | -3 | -3 | -2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | S 9 | SSW 14 | E 10 | ESE 11 | — | — | — | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 418 | 404 | 111 | 104 | 43 | — | — | — | 2049 | 356 | 275 | 179 | 179 | 136 | 447 | 308 | 222 | 121 | 71 | 74 | 50 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | — | S 20 | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 |
| kJ | 81 | 74 | 108 | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | 92 | 50 | 44 | 68 | 404 | 163 | 107 | 75 | 47 | 17 | 15 | 18 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 | S 22 | S 20 | ESE 10 | S 6 | — | — | — | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | — |
| kJ | 7 | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 91 | 9 | 69 | 51 | 26 | — | — | — | 9 | 10 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 8 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 |
| kJ | 585 | 661 | 1211 | 1101 | 1462 | 5659 | 6000 | 5126 | 2944 | 635 | 342 | 346 | 219 | 89 | — | — | 2 | 9 | 39 | 68 | 124 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 61 | 61 | 156 | 112 | 195 | 205 | 109 | 205 | 167 | 114 | 156 | 62 | 62 | 112 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 38 | 54 | 54 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wellington | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Houghton Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Houghton Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Houghton Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Houghton 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 (Houghton 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 Houghton 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.
Houghton Bay is 7 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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