Houghton Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watching this stretch like a hawk. Right now, the surf is flat, and it’s gonna stay that way for a few days. The first real hope comes on Friday the 17th.

Houghton Bay is a beach and reef set-up, and it’s usually inconsistent. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing weird going on there. The first wave worth paddling for hits Friday morning. Swell jumps to 6ft from the SSW, with a period of 14 seconds—that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is strong (1647), and the wind is nearly glassy, just a slight air from the ENE, making it clean. This is for experienced crew only, as it’s overhead. The swell direction (SSW) matches the optimum (S) pretty well, so it should line up. Friday afternoon keeps the 6ft, but the period drops to 12 seconds; still offering clean, offshore wind from the N. This is the standout window—Friday is your day.

Saturday morning the 18th drops to 3ft ESE, with moderate energy (575) and fresh offshore wind from the N. It’s clean but smaller. Saturday afternoon gets interesting with a 2ft swell from the S, but a long period of 23 seconds. That’s very long period groundswell, and the combined energy is still moderate (842). The wind goes glassy, offshore from the N. This long period stuff can be a bit straight at a beach break, but the reef might help shape it. It’s worth a look.

Sunday the 19th brings 4ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, but the wind is cross-on from the SE, making it fairly choppy. The energy is strong (1386), but the conditions are messy. Monday the 20th has 6ft S swell, but the wind is cross-on or onshore, so it’s not great. Tuesday the 21st sees a drop to 4ft S swell, but the wind is offshore from the N, so it cleans up. The energy is moderate (536). It’s surfable but not a standout.

After Tuesday, the swell fades fast. Wednesday the 22nd is small and ordinary, and from Thursday the 23rd through to Sunday the 26th, it’s mostly flat with tiny 0.7ft to 2ft swells. The wind is often strong offshore, but there’s no wave to ride. It’s a real lull. Monday the 27th has a little bump of 2ft SSW with a long 18-second period, light wind, and clean conditions. The energy is modest (288). It’s worth a paddle if you’re desperate, but it’s small.

Then, on the 30th of July, Thursday morning, things get big again. Swell hits 8ft from the SSW, with an 11-second period and strong energy (1530). The wind is offshore from the N, gentle breeze, and it’s clean. That’s expert-only territory, but it’s a solid pulse for those who can handle it.

Overall, the best surf is Friday the 17th, with a solid 6ft SSW groundswell and clean conditions. The Saturday afternoon long-period pulse is a neat change-up, but Friday is the one to circle.

Rusty.

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