Along with other parts of Wellington's South Coast it is a popular recreational diving spot, within the Taputeranga Marine Reserve.

In 2005 the decommissioned frigate HMNZS Wellington was sunk off Houghton Bay, and is now an artificial reef and dive location.

Houghton Valley and Bay are home to musicians and artists, and to the Haewai Meadery and Wind Gardens.

The Aurora Australis can be seen, as the light pollution is shielded to some degree by the range of hills along the coastline.

A dark sky is necessary as most aurorae are weak and barely visible to the naked eye at this latitude.