Piha-The Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at Piha-The Bar.

Right now, the surf is pretty average. It’s not a total write-off, but the first few days are a bit messy. Monday the 13th is small and grotty with a cross-shore breeze, nothing to get excited about. Tuesday the 14th is a bit bigger, but onshore winds ruin it – that 7ft swell is just bumpy and chopped up, not worth paddling out for.

The first real standout windows start to appear around Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th. We’ve got a solid 10ft of SW groundswell rolling in, with a very long period of 16-18 seconds. The combined energy is huge (3042–5319), so it’s powerful. But the wind is onshore those mornings, so it’s only for the hardcore crew who know the bar well – this is advanced territory. The water temp is about 58°, which is normal for this time of year.

Friday the 17th afternoon, things clean up. A 12ft SW swell with a 14-second period, moderate cross-off wind, and clean conditions. The energy is pumping (4375). This one will have some great shaped waves, but it’s going to be big – only for experts. Piha-The Bar (Auckland) is an exposed spot, and with that much power, it’ll be a proper challenge.

Now, for the absolute best on offer: Sunday the 19th. The morning has a 10ft SW swell with a 17-second period, light cross-off wind, and clean conditions. By the afternoon, we get 6 mph offshore wind from the ESE, 10ft of SW swell, still a 16-second period, and excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers. The combined energy is 4823. This is the pick of the whole run – glassy, clean, powerful, and well-shaped. Crowds can happen here sometimes, but on a Sunday with this size, only the keenest locals will be out. It’s a true standout.

The following week keeps delivering. Monday the 20th through Wednesday the 22nd sees ease off to 8ft down to 3ft, but with clean glassy or offshore conditions each day – perfect for more manageable waves. The energy drops from 2457 to 378, so it’s still fun but not as punchy. Thursday the 23rd afternoon goes glassy again with a 5ft WSW groundswell – lovely for an evening session.

The second weekend, Saturday the 25th afternoon, brings a surprise: a 4ft swell with a very long 20-second period and light-off wind, producing 1515 energy. That long period will make the waves smooth and powerful on the bar – a sleeper session for those who know the spot. And Sunday the 26th morning is another big standout: 8ft WSW groundswell, 17-second period, light offshore breeze, clean, with energy of 3222. Excellent conditions.

The very end of the forecast, Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th, the swell sticks around 7–7ft but the wind swings cross-shore and builds to a fresh breeze, so it gets lumpy. Not the best way to wrap up, but there’s plenty of quality before that.

So, the bottom line: Sunday the 19th is your absolute best day, with Friday the 17th afternoon and Saturday the 26th morning not far behind. Get on it, because that stretch from the 17th to the 20th is stacked. The gaps? Not really any – it’s a solid run of swell. Just pick your wind windows.

Rusty.

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