Surf Forecasts:
Piha-The Bar surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 20s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 18s period, WSW swell with 24,562 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Piha-The Bar this week:
The surf forecast for Piha-The Bar over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 2.4m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Piha-The Bar in the next 16 days are 6.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 20s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 20ft (6.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Piha-The Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Piha-The-Bar. This is a West Coast, exposed, black-sand beast that needs the right conditions to really shine. It’s an advanced wave, and it’s fairly consistent, but the wind has to play ball.
The water temp is sitting at 58°F - that’s pretty much normal for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
The first chance for a surf isn’t until Tuesday, the 8th of September. The swell is coming in at 8 ft to 8 ft from the WSW, with a period of 11 to 12 seconds. That’s a solid groundswell, but it’s a bit on the big side – over 8 ft would be expert only, so this is right on the edge for the average punter. The wind is a cross-off SSW, which is the key here; it’s cleaning the wave up nicely. The combined energy is moderate (2037). It’s a marginal forecast, but for a Tuesday, it’s the best we’ve got.
Now, Wednesday the 9th of September morning is a real standout. The swell drops to 6 ft from the SW, with a 12-second period. The wind is glassy – just 3 mph from the SSE. That’s pure magic. The wave energy is moderate (1040) but the quality will be high. For experienced surfers, this is a rare window of perfection. The afternoon goes a bit lumpy as the wind swings cross-shore, so the morning is the one.
After that, it’s a long, grim run. From Thursday the 10th onwards, the swell absolutely pumps up, but every single session is ruined by strong onshore or cross-onshore winds. We’re talking 19 to 31 mph winds, messy, lumpy, blown-out junk. The swell gets huge – 20 ft to 21 ft, with energy readings in the tens of thousands (24562, 22178) – but it’s just too big and too windy. The forecast actually says the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. That’s not for paddling; that’s a kite-surfing circus if you’re into that.
This poor run goes all the way through to the end of the forecast on the 21st of September. There’s a solid 12-day gap with no decent surf. The waves are there, but the wind is a relentless enemy.
So, the only real game in town is the Wednesday morning glass-off. That’s your one chance. Get it while you can.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Mon morning, light winds from the SSE by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, strong winds from the SW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 18 | W 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 12 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 6432 | 6987 | 4819 | 4084 | 3576 | 1601 | 1613 | 1201 | 1135 | 781 | 594 | 608 | 651 | 1466 | 6427 | 6597 | 24562 | 16441 | 16017 | 9855 | 20184 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 5:03PM2.33m | 5:41AM2.24m | 6:22PM2.46m | 6:54AM2.39m | 7:25PM2.65m | 7:52AM2.57m | 8:15PM2.83m | 8:39AM2.73m | 9:00PM2.96m | 9:22AM2.85m | 9:40PM3.03m | 10:01AM2.92m | 10:18PM3.02m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:37AM0.66m | 11:26PM0.69m | 11:55AM0.59m | 00:40AM0.54m | 1:02PM0.43m | 1:40AM0.34m | 1:58PM0.25m | 2:30AM0.15m | 2:46PM0.11m | 3:14AM0.02m | 3:29PM0.02m | 3:55AM-0.05m | 4:10PM-0.01m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  |  | |  | |  | | |  | | | | |  | | | |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | 8 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WNW 10 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 17 | SW 20 | WSW 19 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6432 | 6987 | 4819 | 4084 | 3576 | 1064 | 1613 | 545 | 1135 | 781 | 594 | 608 | 617 | 608 | 890 | 6597 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WSW 14 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WSW 21 | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | SW 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1043 | 254 | 1601 | 249 | 127 | 90 | 41 | 286 | 475 | 651 | 140 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 22 | SW 21 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 26 | SW 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 47 | 218 | 16 | 11 | 26 | 138 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 8 | NW 7 | — | NW 8 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SW 11 | S 6 | — | — | NW 8 | W 5 | W 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 12 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 12 | WSW 14 |
| kJ | — | 14 | 305 | — | 371 | 128 | 175 | 1201 | 95 | — | — | 15 | 70 | 1466 | 6427 | 5643 | 24562 | 16441 | 16017 | 9855 | 20184 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 325 | 363 | 325 | 228 | 44 | 0 | 44 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 122 | 122 | 129 | 85 | 195 | 85 | 362 | 169 | 362 | 514 | 366 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Auckland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Piha-The Bar Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Piha-The Bar provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Piha-The Bar can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Piha-The Bar 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 (Piha-The Bar) 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 Piha-The Bar 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.
Piha-The Bar is 12 km (7 miles) from the city of Auckland. If you plan a holiday in Auckland, look for hotels and other accommodation in Auckland. Auckland has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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