Surf Forecasts:
Houghton Bay surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 22s period, S swell with 2,631 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period with ESE 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. 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 1.6m 22s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy 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 16) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 22s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Houghton Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s coming up for Houghton Bay.
It’s a quiet start, folks. We’ve got a few days of flat-to-teensy dribble to kick things off, so don’t bother paddling out until Friday the 17th. That’s where the window cracks open.
The main event looks set for Friday afternoon. We’ll see a clean 4.3ft swell out of the SSW, with a very long 15-second period. That’s groundswell, and at this beach-and-reef setup, those long lines might pitch a bit straight, but the gentle offshore breeze from the north should keep things tidy. The combined energy is pumping at 1136 (moderate to strong). For experienced surfers, this is the standout of the outlook. Saturday afternoon also gets a look: a bigger 4.9ft swell from the south, with a huge 23-second period. That’s proper ocean energy, reflected in a combined energy score of 2701 (strong to very strong). Those sets will be spaced way out, making the paddle easier, but again, that kind of period can make a beach break a bit walled. Offshore wind from the NNW will keep it clean.
Right now the water temp is at 53.1°, which is about 1.1° off the norm for this time of year – nothing unusual, just standard winter chill.
After that weekend flurry, early next week holds onto some size. Monday the 20th shows chest-to-head-high 6.6ft swell from the south, but with a cross or cross-onshore breeze, conditions will be a little lumpy. It’s more for the keen crew who don’t mind a bit of chop. Tuesday the 21st looks better again: 5.6ft south swell with a clean offshore wind in the morning. That’s another solid session for those who can handle it.
Once we hit Wednesday the 22nd, the size drops and the wind freshens up. Thursday and Friday the 24th-25th offer clean scraps, but only knee-to-waist-high, so it’s a choice session for a longboard or a foiler if you’re keen.
Later in the window, around the 29th to 30th, we see some lumpy onshore southerly slop and a short-period 9.8ft swell on the 29th afternoon – that’s messy, blown-out, and really only worth looking at if you’re into drifting. For paddle surfing, it’s a write-off.
Bottom line: if you’re experienced, your window is Friday the 17th through Tuesday the 21st. After that, the clean stuff gets too small or too windy to get excited about.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed night, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Wed night, light winds from the ENE by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | S 23 | S 21 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 17 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 24 | 22 | 23 | 52 | 147 | 495 | 744 | 387 | 362 | 2364 | 2270 | 1249 | 1117 | 1263 | 1509 | 1113 | 2428 | 1018 | 713 | 472 | 305 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 5:20PM1.84m | 5:59AM1.65m | 6:20PM1.81m | 6:57AM1.65m | 7:19PM1.77m | 7:54AM1.65m | 8:17PM1.73m | 8:48AM1.66m | 9:14PM1.69m | 9:40AM1.66m | 10:08PM1.66m | 10:31AM1.66m | 10:58PM1.63m | 11:21AM1.65m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:52PM0.50m | 12:05PM0.45m | 00:53AM0.49m | 1:04PM0.44m | 1:50AM0.49m | 2:02PM0.46m | 2:44AM0.51m | 3:01PM0.49m | 3:37AM0.53m | 3:59PM0.54m | 4:27AM0.57m | 4:53PM0.58m | 5:15AM0.61m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 |
 | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | 5:15 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | ESE 14 | NW 6 | S 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | ESE 14 | S 23 | S 21 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 17 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 |
| kJ | 24 | 22 | 19 | 24 | 48 | 495 | 744 | 361 | 362 | 2364 | 2270 | 1249 | 1117 | 1263 | 1509 | 1113 | 2428 | 1018 | 713 | 472 | 305 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | SSW 15 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | SSW 10 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | S 18 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 17 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 14 | 17 | 23 | 52 | 147 | 284 | 392 | 387 | 167 | 337 | 229 | 175 | 170 | 99 | 71 | 963 | 33 | 31 | 145 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 16 | N 16 | E 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | — | — | — | SSW 15 | — | S 22 | SSW 22 | — | — | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | — | — | ESE 11 | — | SE 11 |
| kJ | 10 | 5 | 8 | 22 | 42 | — | — | — | 73 | — | 1186 | 154 | — | — | 127 | 55 | — | — | 24 | — | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | S 2 | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 |
| kJ | 95 | 94 | 191 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 26 | — | — | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 12 | 30 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 75 | 75 | 75 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 61 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 38 |
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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