Surf Forecasts:
Houghton Bay surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s period, SSW swell with 1,731 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period with SSW 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period. 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 2.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Houghton Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you—Houghton Bay’s been a bit of a mixed bag, and the next few days are going to be a write-off. We’ve got a dry spell from now until Sunday morning, with nothing but howling winds and tiny, messy waves. The first real chance of a surf doesn’t kick in until Monday the 24th of August.
That Monday morning is where it gets interesting. The swell jumps to 8ft from the SSW, with a solid 12-second period. That’s a groundswell with some proper energy (1738), and the wind is offshore from the NNW at just 9 mph. The water’s sitting about average for this time of year. For an exposed spot like Houghton Bay, this is the standout—clean, powerful, and lined up. Just a heads-up, though: anything over 8ft is expert territory, and this is right on that edge, so it’s for the experienced crew. If you’re not confident, give it a miss.
Monday afternoon gets a bit more wind from the north at 22 mph, and while the swell drops to 7ft, it’s still a decent option, but the quality fades. Tuesday and Wednesday look like a mix of cross-off and glassy conditions with smaller swell, but nothing that’ll get your heart racing.
Now, keep an eye on Monday the 31st of August. That morning we’ve got 8ft from the south with a short 10-second period, but the wind is light offshore from the NNE. By the afternoon, it goes glassy, the swell jumps to 10ft, and the energy hits 2183. That’s a big, powerful swell—definitely expert-only. It’s a long-range call, so don’t lock it in, but if it comes together, it could be the best of the run.
After that, the outlook gets messy again. Big winds and onshore slop take over, with a massive 16ft swell on the 2nd of September, but it’s blown out by 34 mph cross-off winds. There’s nothing worth paddling for there.
So, bottom line: Monday the 24th morning is your best bet for clean, solid waves. The 31st is the long-range wildcard, but keep your expectations in check.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NNW on Sat night, light winds from the NNW by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Tue night, calm by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 322 | 235 | 188 | 98 | 31 | 16 | 53 | 1731 | 1365 | 569 | 286 | 167 | 280 | 366 | 1042 | 1062 | 869 | 722 | 449 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 11:56PM1.55m | 12:22PM1.59m | 00:39AM1.51m | 1:05PM1.58m | 1:24AM1.48m | 1:46PM1.56m | 2:09AM1.44m | 2:27PM1.54m | 2:54AM1.42m | 3:09PM1.52m | 3:39AM1.41m | 3:54PM1.51m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:09AM0.71m | 6:44PM0.69m | 6:48AM0.72m | 7:25PM0.70m | 7:27AM0.73m | 8:05PM0.70m | 8:07AM0.73m | 8:46PM0.71m | 8:51AM0.72m | 9:30PM0.72m | 9:38AM0.71m | 10:20PM0.72m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
Feels °C | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 322 | 235 | 188 | 98 | 31 | 16 | 53 | 1731 | 1365 | 569 | 286 | 167 | 280 | 366 | 1042 | 1062 | 869 | 722 | 449 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | SE 11 | E 15 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | SE 13 | NW 8 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SE 14 | NW 6 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 16 |
| kJ | 12 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 83 | 118 | 8 | 6 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 412 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 12 | E 15 | — | S 16 | S 15 | S 16 | SE 14 | — | — | SE 14 | SE 14 | — | ESE 14 | — | — | — | ESE 12 | E 5 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 4 | — | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | — | — | 8 | 8 | — | 19 | — | — | — | 15 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 |
| kJ | 178 | 336 | 236 | 453 | 1034 | 186 | 106 | 8 | 23 | 34 | 224 | 165 | 200 | 24 | 21 | — | — | 5 | 34 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 55 | 62 | 62 | 124 | 129 | 75 | 65 | 0 | 54 | 75 | 75 | 109 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wellington | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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