
Surf Forecasts:
Houghton Bay surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, S swell with 581 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period with SE 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. 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 2.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Houghton Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. This is your local surf report from Rusty.
First up, we’ve got a bit of a slow start here at Houghton Bay. The next few days are looking pretty average, with onshore winds and messy conditions. Saturday the 25th is a write-off with a strong 28 mph SSW wind and 8ft of short-period slop – that’s more for the kite crew than paddle surfers. Sunday the 26th is a little better with smaller 5ft swell but still cross-on, so not great.
Monday the 27th drops right off into tiny weak surf, and the period is long but the swell direction is all over the place. Nothing to get excited about.
Then Tuesday the 28th – now we’re talking. The wind goes light offshore in the morning, with a clean 3ft ESE groundswell. The period is a solid 12 seconds, and combined energy is moderate (503). That’s a fun little window, especially for a mid-week session. The water temp is 54°, which is bang on average for this time of year – no surprises there.
Wednesday the 29th keeps the offshore flow but the wind picks up to 19 mph, so it’s clean but a bit blown out. Same small 3ft swell. Worth a look if you’re keen, but it’s not the standout.
Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are small and windy – not much happening. The swell drops to 1-1ft with strong offshore winds, which makes paddling tough.
Now, Saturday the 1st of August, that’s a nice little surprise. Light offshore winds, almost glassy, with a clean 2ft SE groundswell rolling in at 16 seconds. That’s a very long period, so it’ll be a bit walled-up at the beach – but if you hit the reef or the points, it’ll be fun. Energy is moderate (332). This is a solid pick for a relaxed session.
Sunday the 2nd of August morning brings a bump in size: 5ft from the south with a 9-second period, light offshore winds, and clean conditions. That’s a good one for intermediates – not too big, decent shape, and the wind is cooperating.
But the real standout here is the stretch from Wednesday the 5th of August through to Saturday the 8th of August. This is the big one. Wednesday morning the 5th sees a solid 12ft southerly swell with a 9-second period and light offshore winds. The combined energy is massive – 2098 – that’s strong to very strong. This is for experienced surfers only – over 8ft, it’s expert territory. The afternoon stays clean with 10ft and a gentle offshore.
Thursday the 6th keeps the size with 6ft in the morning and 7ft in the afternoon, both from the south, with moderate offshore winds. Clean, powerful, and consistent.
Then Friday the 7th of August – absolute magic. Morning sees 10ft south swell with a 12-second period, light offshore winds, and combined energy hitting 2853. That’s some serious energy. And Friday afternoon? Glassy. Zero wind, 8ft south swell, 12-second period. That’s as good as it gets at Houghton Bay – clean, glassy, and powerful. This is the best on offer in the whole outlook.
Saturday the 8th of August keeps the quality with 7ft south swell, light cross-off winds, and clean conditions. Great way to wrap up the run.
After that, Sunday the 9th of August brings onshore winds and a drop in quality – the swell drops to 4ft and the wind turns onshore, so it’s back to the waiting game.
So, overall, the first week is pretty average with a few small windows. The real standouts are Tuesday the 28th of July for a small clean session, and the big winner: Friday the 7th of August, especially the glassy afternoon. The run from the 5th to the 8th is where you want to be. Get out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the NW by Thu morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | ESE 13 | E 13 | ESE 12 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
640 | 581 | 210 | 147 | 118 | 95 | 172 | 466 | 224 | 280 | 421 | 265 | 217 | 164 | 111 | 77 | 40 | 41 | 43 | 116 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:04AM1.51m | 2:26PM1.60m | 2:50AM1.48m | 3:07PM1.58m | 3:35AM1.45m | 3:48PM1.55m | 4:20AM1.43m | 4:31PM1.53m | 5:05AM1.41m | 5:16PM1.51m | 5:52AM1.41m | 6:04PM1.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:03PM0.73m | 8:06AM0.76m | 8:47PM0.75m | 8:49AM0.77m | 9:31PM0.76m | 9:34AM0.77m | 10:17PM0.76m | 10:20AM0.75m | 11:06PM0.75m | 11:06AM0.73m | 11:57PM0.74m | 11:52AM0.71m | 00:46AM0.72m | |||||||
— | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | |
5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 10 |
Temp °C | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | -3 | -1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | SE 16 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 | E 13 | SSE 7 | SE 13 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | NNW 9 |
7 | 124 | 210 | 147 | 82 | 92 | 89 | 466 | 196 | 280 | 421 | 265 | 217 | 164 | 111 | 77 | 40 | 40 | 43 | 56 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | SSW 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | SSW 13 | ESE 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 12 | SE 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 13 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
27 | 49 | 142 | 133 | 118 | 95 | 172 | 111 | 224 | 133 | 33 | 13 | 41 | 52 | 68 | 63 | 35 | 27 | 36 | 116 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 18 | NNW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 13 | SSW 13 | ESE 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | — | S 16 | SSW 9 | SSW 13 | — | — | ESE 12 | SE 16 | SE 12 | ESE 11 |
30 | 8 | 41 | 21 | 33 | 82 | 65 | 99 | 83 | 58 | — | 5 | 8 | 34 | — | — | 13 | 41 | 24 | 23 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | S 8 | — | — | — | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | — |
640 | 581 | — | — | — | 82 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 30 | 88 | 90 | 275 | 236 | 216 | 153 | 200 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 112 | 61 | 27 | 61 | 60 | 61 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 38 | 62 | 62 | 109 | 60 | 38 | 38 | 0 |
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.










