Surf Forecasts:
Houghton Bay surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 13s period, S swell with 10,085 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period with S 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 5.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 7s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Houghton Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for our local stretch.
Well, the next few days are looking pretty grim, to be honest. We've got a long stretch of nothing special ahead. The first real glimmer of hope, and I mean a real standout, doesn't show up until Monday the 31st of August.
Monday morning, August 31st is the one to circle. Houghton Bay is set to wake up with a solid 12 ft south-southwest groundswell pushing in. The energy is strong, really strong, at (4483). That's proper stuff. The wind is light and offshore from the north-northeast at just 9 mph, which will keep the surface glassy and clean. The water temp is sitting at 54°, which is about average for this time of year. Now, this is a big swell, over 8 ft, so it's strictly for the experienced crew. Beginners, sit this one out. The swell is from the south, with a period of 10 seconds, which is a solid, workable window. The only bummer is that this spot is inconsistent, so it might not be running at its absolute best, but when it does, it’ll be on.
The rest of that week is a mess. By Monday afternoon the wind is howling from the northwest, Tuesday the 1st of September is a write-off with strong onshore winds and a massive, messy 16 ft swell. Wednesday and Thursday are just passable with cross-off winds and dropping swell, nothing to get excited about. The following weekend, the 5th and 6th of September, is flat with tiny, weak swell.
The next real interesting window is Thursday morning, September 10th. The models are suggesting another big pulse of south swell, 10 ft, with moderate energy (1604). The wind is light from the west at 9 mph, keeping it clean. Again, this one is for experts only. The swell period is a shorter 9 seconds, so it might be a bit softer and less powerful than the 31st, but it's still a big, clean wave. It's a long way out, so don't book the day off just yet, but keep an eye on it.
To sum it up, the standout is the morning of Monday the 31st of August at Houghton Bay. Big, clean, and powerful. For the rest of the time, the wind is mostly a problem, wrecking what could be decent swell. The long-range Thursday the 10th of September is another potential pulse, but it's a way off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NNW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed night, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NW on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 10 | S 12 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 423 | 282 | 203 | 240 | 184 | 100 | 47 | 121 | 198 | 2848 | 1914 | 1474 | 8109 | 7139 | 2713 | 1174 | 906 | 630 | 457 | 326 | 202 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:42PM1.51m | 5:15AM1.43m | 5:34PM1.51m | 6:06AM1.46m | 6:28PM1.52m | 6:57AM1.50m | 7:24PM1.54m | 7:48AM1.56m | 8:18PM1.56m | 8:38AM1.62m | 9:10PM1.59m | 9:27AM1.67m | 10:00PM1.61m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:28AM0.70m | 11:15PM0.73m | 11:19AM0.69m | 00:10AM0.72m | 12:13PM0.68m | 1:01AM0.71m | 1:08PM0.67m | 1:50AM0.69m | 2:06PM0.65m | 2:39AM0.67m | 3:02PM0.62m | 3:27AM0.63m | 3:55PM0.59m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | NW 5 | S 10 | S 12 | SSW 13 | — | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 |
| kJ | 423 | 282 | 203 | 240 | 184 | 100 | 47 | 121 | 20 | 1630 | 1914 | 1474 | — | — | 2713 | 1174 | 906 | 630 | 457 | 326 | 202 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 15 | SE 14 | ESE 13 | SSW 14 | SE 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSW 16 | SE 11 | SE 11 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 15 | S 14 | — | SSW 14 | SSE 13 |
| kJ | — | 8 | 8 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 33 | 9 | 198 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 74 | 107 | — | 69 | 101 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 15 | SE 13 | SSW 14 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 10 | 8 | 8 | 19 | 26 | 18 | 14 | 6 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 113 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NW 4 | NNW 3 | NW 6 | S 6 | SSW 10 | NW 5 | NW 7 | S 13 | S 12 | — | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 |
| kJ | 194 | 481 | 467 | 77 | 75 | 10 | 6 | 307 | 112 | 2848 | 78 | 465 | 8109 | 7139 | — | 99 | 269 | 124 | 110 | 98 | 115 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 65 | 133 | 62 | 38 | 59 | 1 | 0 | 75 | 114 | 0 | 86 | 286 | 312 | 176 | 0 | 54 | 4 | 62 | 65 | 60 | 62 |
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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