
Surf Forecasts:
Houghton 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: Sunday 16 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 8s period, S swell with 2,190 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 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 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 Houghton Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 12PM.
| 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 | 9AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Houghton Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Houghton Bay. It’s a beach and reef setup, exposed to the south, and it doesn’t break all that often – you gotta wait for the right combo. The water’s sitting at 54°, which is about normal for this time of year, so nothing unusual.
Looking at the whole 16-day window, it’s a rough start. From now (Tuesday morning, August 11th) all the way through to late on the 18th, it’s mostly a loss – onshore winds, messy conditions, and mostly poor surf. There’s a big pulse of energy (2211) on Sunday the 16th with a 13ft south swell, but the wind is screaming onshore at 31 mph, making it a total wreck – strictly for the kite surfers, not paddle surfing.
The real standout, the one you’re waiting for, is Wednesday, August 19th. We’ve got a solid 5 to 7ft south swell, with a very long period of 13 to 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell, loaded with punch. The wind is light and cross-off from the northwest, so you’re looking at clean, lined-up waves. The combined energy hits 1468 then a massive 2345, which is strong. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – anything over 5ft can be too much for beginners, and at 7ft, it’s expert territory only. That long-period south swell will hold best on the reef sections; it might feel a bit walled at the beach.
After that, Thursday the 20th is still okay with a 7ft south swell (13-second period) but it’s a bit cross-on and marginal, though still rideable. Then Friday, August 21st is another solid day – light offshore breezes from the north-northeast, a 5ft south swell with an 11- to 12-second period. The energy is moderate (701 and 555), and conditions look very clean. The wind will keep it glassy. Crowds are possible at Houghton Bay, so paddle out early.
Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd drop off – a smaller south swell (4 to 4ft) but still with clean offshore or cross-off winds, though the wind picks up to 18 mph. It’s surfable, but not the highlight.
The second week (from the 24th onwards) goes downhill again – strong onshores and sloppy surf. Not worth chasing.
The best call: Lock in Wednesday, August 19th – that’s the day. A clean, powerful south groundswell with light winds. Friday the 21st is your next best for a more manageable, clean session. Don’t bother before the 19th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm 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 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | E 6 | ESE 9 | SSE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 15 | ESE 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 5 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | SSW 14 | S 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
586 | 284 | 198 | 82 | 119 | 53 | 32 | 41 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 60 | 80 | 847 | 2190 | 1714 | 866 | 311 | 341 | 342 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | on | on | on | 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 | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Feels °C | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 1 | -2 | -4 | -4 | -3 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | SSW 18 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 9 | E 8 | S 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SE 14 |
133 | 284 | 198 | 82 | 47 | 53 | 27 | 41 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 60 | 21 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 109 | 78 | 341 | 29 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 11 | ESE 14 | SSW 4 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | E 8 | SE 15 | S 15 | E 9 | SE 14 |
14 | 84 | 31 | 29 | 52 | 46 | 32 | 15 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 19 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 1 | 9 | 109 | 14 | 48 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | S 13 | S 13 | S 10 | SE 13 | NW 7 | SE 14 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 13 | NE 9 | S 20 | SE 12 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | — |
2 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 5 | 5 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 23 | 21 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | ENE 4 | NNE 2 | E 6 | NNW 2 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 3 | — | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | ESE 7 | SSW 5 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | SSE 7 | S 7 |
586 | — | 16 | 1 | 119 | 1 | 16 | 13 | 1 | — | 13 | 10 | 29 | 80 | 847 | 2190 | 1714 | 866 | 311 | 121 | 342 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 86 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 44 | 39 | 27 | 197 | 167 | 109 | 109 | 109 | 62 | 209 | 62 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wellington | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











