Houghton Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Houghton Bay.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a big, powerful swell rolling in. Tuesday afternoon sees a solid 12ft southerly swell with a 13-second period rolling in from the south. The combined wave energy is absolutely cranking at 4112, and with a light offshore northerly breeze, it’s going to be clean. This is for experienced surfers only – that’s a lot of water moving. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s the standout session of the whole forecast.

Wednesday morning is still rideable, with 7ft southerly swell and a 13-second period, but the wind is up to 19 mph from the NNW. It’s offshore, but it’s a fresh breeze, so it won’t be as clean as Tuesday. The combined energy is still strong at 2922. By Wednesday afternoon, the wind is cranking to 25 mph, and the swell is 8ft, but the cross-offshore wind makes it a bit of a messy affair. The energy is still high at 2320, but it’s not the best.

Thursday and Friday are a write-off. The swell drops right off, and we’re looking at strong to gale-force winds from the northwest and west-northwest. The wave energy is pitiful, dropping to 73 and 60 by Friday afternoon. The wind is going to kill any chance of a decent wave. Saturday is the same story – small, weak swell and strong winds.

Sunday brings a strange one. We’ve got tiny 1.0ft swell, but the period is a very long 16 seconds, coming from the south-southwest. The wind is a near gale from the north-northwest, so it’s offshore but impossible to paddle into. The energy is low, only 84.

Then Monday gets ugly. A 20ft south-southwest swell with an 11-second period hits, but the wind is howling onshore at 37 mph from the south-southwest. The combined energy is massive – 8127 – but with that wind, it’s a complete mess. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing one. The earlier morning shows a 8ft swell with a short 7-second period and onshore winds, which is also a no-go.

Tuesday the 8th of September has a 8ft southerly swell with a 9-second period, but the wind is onshore from the south-southeast at 12 mph. The energy is still moderate at 1090, but the conditions are poor. The afternoon is similar, with 7ft swell.

It’s not until Friday the 11th of September that we see a glimmer of hope. The swell is small – 4ft from the southeast – but the period is a decent 11 seconds, and the wind is a gentle offshore from the north at 9 mph. The energy is 362, and the forecast says “expect good surf conditions”. It’s not a big day, but it will be clean. The Saturday the 12th looks similar, with 4 to 4ft swell from the east-southeast, light offshore winds, and clean conditions. Energy is around 350. For a surfer who just wants a clean wave, these two days are the pick of the second week.

The rest of the run into the 16th looks poor. Sunday the 13th has onshore winds, and Monday the 14th has a tiny 1ft swell with a very long 17-second period, but it’s from the south-southwest, and the wind is light cross-shore, not doing much. The energy is only 125. After that, it’s all onshore winds and small, weak swell until the end of the forecast.

So, to wrap it up: Tuesday afternoon (1st September) is the clear winner for experienced surfers – big, clean, and powerful. For the rest of us, wait for the 11th and 12th of September for some small, clean, and fun waves.

Rusty.

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