Houghton Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s break down what’s coming for Houghton Bay. It’s a bit of a slow starter, but there’s one session that’s a real standout later this weekend. The first week has some solid pulses, but the second week is patchy and much quieter.

The forecast starts on Saturday, July 18th. The morning is a bit of a tease—a clean, 3ft swell from the ESE with a 14-second period, combined energy of 832 (moderate), but the conditions are described as marginal for the tide. It’s rideable, but nothing special. The real gem comes Saturday afternoon. We get a jump to 6ft from the south, with a very long period of 22 seconds—that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy hits 3196 (strong), and the wind is clean offshore from the NNW. This is the best on offer across the whole 16 days: clean, powerful, and for experienced surfers only. The long period will make the waves hold up well, but watch out for it maybe closing out at the beach—it’s a beach and reef setup, so the reef might offer the better line.

Sunday the 19th starts with a 5ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and 1385 combined energy (moderate), but the wind is onshore from the south, making it messy. The afternoon gets worse—southerly 15 mph winds and a score of zero. Give it a miss.

Monday the 20th sees a 6ft south swell, 14-second period, and 2018 energy (strong), but the wind is cross-onshore from the ESE. It’s not clean. The afternoon pushes 8ft from the south with a 19-second period and 4543 energy (very strong), but again, cross-onshore wind and only fair conditions. This one’s for the hardy crew only.

Tuesday the 21st is a return to form. The morning has a 6ft south swell, 14-second period, and 1413 energy (moderate), with a clean offshore north wind. The afternoon stays offshore but the wind picks up to 19 mph, dropping the swell to 5ft and 919 energy (moderate). Still rideable, but the morning is the pick.

From Wednesday the 22nd through to the end of the first week, we get a long dry spell. Wednesday morning has a 4ft south swell, but it’s onshore and poor. That afternoon and all of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are either too small, too windy, or just plain beaten up. Friday the 24th has an 8ft short-period swell (7 seconds) and 560 energy (moderate), but it’s messy. The gale-force winds on Saturday the 25th afternoon (40 mph) make it a no-go.

Sunday the 26th through Monday the 27th stay onshore and lumpy, with swells up to 8ft but strong winds ruining the surface. Not for us.

We finally get a bit of life back on Tuesday, July 28th. Morning sees a 4ft SSW swell, 11-second period, and 440 energy (moderate), with a moderate offshore breeze from the NNE. The afternoon is similar with a 3ft south swell, 10-second period, and 304 energy (weak to moderate). Both are described as “expect good surf conditions”—clean and rideable, but modest. A decent window for a longboard or a mellow session.

The rest of the second week drops off fast. Wednesday the 29th onward is small and clean but lacking power. The morning of Friday, July 31st is nearly glassy, with a 3ft southeast swell, 12-second period, and 310 energy (weak to moderate). It’s glassy, so if you’re desperate for a paddle, it’s an option, but don’t expect much push.

Saturday, August 1st and Sunday, August 2nd are poor—small, onshore, or choppy. The 7ft swell on Saturday afternoon is short-period (8 seconds) and onshore, so it’s a mess.

Bottom line: the standout window is Saturday, July 18th afternoon—that south groundswell with offshore wind is the one to circle. Tuesday the 21st morning is your next best bet. The rest is a mixed bag with a lot of downtime. Keep your eyes on the forecasts, because things can change.

Rusty.

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