Houghton Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's happening at our local spot.

The next couple of weeks are a real mixed bag, with a lot of wind and messy conditions to work through. The first few days are a write-off for any decent paddle surfing, but there is a small window of clean surf, and then a big, powerful swell event to look forward to.

First up, we have to sit through some pretty average conditions. From Thursday, the 3rd of September, through to the 7th, it's a no-go. Strong cross-offshore winds, often from the NW, are blowing through, and the swell is tiny and weak. The combined energy readings are low, mostly under 200 (moderate wave energy), but the wind is just too strong and the wave heights are too small. It's not worth suiting up.

Then, we get a brief glimmer of hope. On Tuesday morning, the 8th of September, the wind swings to a light breeze from the North, and the swell comes up a bit from the SSE. The combined energy is 236 (moderate). It's a small 4ft swell, but it's clean. It's a morning mission for the intermediate crew, but you'll have to get out there early, as the wind swings onshore later.

The real standout, though, is the following morning. Wednesday, the 9th of September, is set to be a beauty. The wind is glassy, coming from the North-Northeast. The swell is a consistent 5ft from the South. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 56°, and with a 2° anomaly, it's noticeably warmer than usual. The combined energy sits at 209 (moderate). It's a small window of perfection, but it’s the best paddle surfing you'll see in the first week.

After that, the wind and swell go back to being messy until the real event kicks off. Around Sunday, the 13th of September, the ocean starts to rumble, but it's a mess with strong onshore winds. The energy ramps up massively, hitting 7711 (strong to very strong wave energy) on the Sunday morning with a 18ft swell from the SSW. That's expert territory, but the wind is ruining it.

The real standout for the whole forecast is Monday, the 14th of September. The swell is predicted to be huge, with a 21ft swell from the South, and a very long period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is a massive 36341 (very strong wave energy). The wind is a moderate breeze from the SW, which is cross-on, so it's going to be a big, powerful, and somewhat choppy beast. This is absolutely for experienced surfers only. The forecast note says the swell is predicted to be too big for this break, so it's more of a spectator event than a paddle session – maybe one for the kite crew if you're into that.

After that, it settles down quickly. Tuesday, the 15th of September offers a solid cleanup. The wind goes gentle offshore from the NNW. The swell drops to 8ft from the South, with a combined energy of 1768 (strong wave energy). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, with clean, offshore conditions. The afternoon will be slightly smaller but still very good.

The rest of the second week looks quiet again, with small, weak swells and only a few marginal moments. The 18th of September shows a bit of a bump with a 7ft SSW swell, but the cross-offshore wind keeps it from being a true standout.

So, to wrap it up: For the best surf on offer, you've got two real windows. The first is a glassy, small-wave morning on Wednesday, the 9th of September, for anyone who's keen on a clean session. The second is the big, powerful, and clean offshore day on Tuesday, the 15th of September, which is a must for the experienced crew. The big swell on the 14th is a brute but not really surfable here.

Stay frothy,
Rusty.

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