Houghton Bay

📍 Local Knowledge

Houghton Bay in Wellington is an exposed beach and reef break that has inconsistent surf, with summer in particular tending to be flat. The best conditions occur when a South swell—which is just as likely to be a local windswell as a distant groundswell—combines with an offshore wind direction from the North. The spot offers some shelter from northerly winds and can even handle light onshores. The beach break provides both left and right-hand waves, and there is also a right-hand reef break. When the surf is working, it can get crowded, and surfers should take care of hazards such as rocks and pollution. The best time of year for surfing Houghton Bay with consistent, clean waves is during autumn, particularly the month of May.