Houghton Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s comin’ our way for Houghton Bay. Gotta be straight with you – this stretch of the forecast is a proper mixed bag. We’ve got a long wait for anything decent, and when the surf does show up, it’s often got a mean wind or just too much power for comfort. The water’s sitting at a toasty 56°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re waiting.

First thing’s first: the next few days are a write-off. From Saturday the 5th right through to Tuesday the 8th, it’s all poor surf conditions and marginal calls. Strong winds, mostly cross-off or cross-onshore, with messy little waves. Not worth paddling out for.

Things finally start to look a bit more promising around Wednesday the 9th. The morning has a small 3 ft swell from the east-southeast, but the wind is offshore from the north, making for clean conditions. It’s only moderate wave energy (180), so the waves will be small and ordinary, but if you’re desperate for a paddle, it’s the first real window.

Then we hit a big gap. From Thursday the 10th through to the 11th, it’s back to poor conditions and strong winds. The swell tries to build, but the wind just ruins it.

The first true standout in this whole outlook is Saturday the 12th of September, in the afternoon. The swell jumps to 8 ft from the south at a long 13 seconds, creating some serious energy (2359). It’s a big, powerful south groundswell. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the southeast, so it’ll have a bit of texture. Honestly, for a beach and reef setup like Houghton Bay, an 8 ft south swell with that period can be a bit unruly and close out, so this is one for experienced surfers only. The crowd factor is “sometimes,” so you might have company.

Things get a bit wild after that. Sunday the 13th morning has a clean 12 ft swell from the south (3902 energy) with a cross-off wind. That’s big, and it’s only for experts who know the reef channels. The real standout, though, is coming up. Look at Monday the 14th of September morning: a massive 13 ft south swell (7868 energy, very strong) with a 12-second period. The wind is a strong breeze from the northwest, which is cross-off. That’s an absolute beast of a day, but it’s only for the brave. Paddling out will be a mission.

The final big call is for Saturday the 20th of September. The morning brings a colossal 16 ft south swell with a very long 16-second period – that’s deep ocean groundswell energy, over 12,740. It’s offshore. The afternoon is even bigger: a 20 ft south swell, same 16-second period, with a near-gale northwest cross-off wind. The forecast notes that the swell is predicted to be too big for this break, even with good wind. This is a spectacle, not a paddle session, unless you’re a proper charger on a big wave gun. For anyone else, it’s a day to watch from the cliffs.

So, if I’m calling it: keep an eye on Saturday the 12th afternoon for a big, challenging south swell, and if you’re an expert, Monday the 14th morning is a proper, heavy standout. The last week stuff is just too big and uncertain to recommend for a fun surf.

Stay safe out there.
Rusty

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