
Surf Forecasts:
Piha-The Bar surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 10,772 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period with SW 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Piha-The Bar in the next 16 days are 4.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Piha-The Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Alright, let’s have a proper look at what’s on the cards for Piha over the next couple of weeks. It’s gonna be a wild ride, but you’ve got to pick your moments carefully.
We’ve got a massive run of swell heading our way, but the first few days are simply too dangerous for most folks. The water is sitting at a cool 59°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year, no surprises there.
The week kicks off with a serious dose of power. Saturday the 12th is a write-off for anything but the most seasoned charger. Early morning you’re looking at a solid 15 ft SW swell with a period of 11 seconds, but a 22 mph cross-off wind will keep it raw. This is expert-only territory with wave energy absolutely pumping (7824). By afternoon, it’s still a burly 12 ft, but a longer 16-second period groundswell is in the mix, which will push through for the crew who know the lineup. Sunday the 13th is no different – another 15 ft morning with a 16-second period, wind swinging cross-shore at 19 mph. It’s a beast, and it’s only for the brave.
Monday the 14th sees the swell ease a fraction, still a solid 12 ft SW groundswell (16-second period) in the morning, but the wind backs off to a 12 mph cross-off, tidying things up a little. It’s still a huge day. The wave energy is monstrous (10670), but it’s clean. If you’re an expert, this is your window. The afternoon drops to 10 ft but the energy halves (4698), still not for the faint-hearted.
From Tuesday the 15th through to Thursday the 17th, we’re in the zone of “too much to be perfect”. Swell hangs around 8 ft to 8 ft, winds are light to moderate and mostly cross or cross-on. The wave energy dips into the low thousands (963-2648). Surfable but not the standout. Crowds are possible at Piha, always a factor.
Here’s where it gets interesting. Mark your calendar for Friday the 18th. The morning is a cracker for expert surfers. A 10 ft SW groundswell with a very long 17-second period, and a light 9 mph offshore from the SE. That’s glassy offshore lines. The energy is back up (5603). This is the kind of morning you dream about – clean, powerful, and focused. The point and reef will handle that long period beautifully. The afternoon stays clean with a 16-second swell, but the wind picks up a bit.
Saturday the 19th is a step back. The swell holds at 10 ft, but a stiff 19 mph cross-off and cross-shore wind will chop it up. Leave it.
Now, the real standout of the entire outlook is Sunday the 20th. This is the one you wait for. The morning brings a 10 ft WSW swell, light 6 mph offshore breeze, and clean conditions. But the afternoon? Absolute magic. A 13 ft WSW groundswell with a 16-second period, light 6 mph cross-off wind, and glassy clean surf. The wave energy is pumping (7907). This is exceptional for experts. Crowds will be there, sure, but for this kind of quality, you’ll deal with it.
Monday the 21st keeps the energy high with a 13 ft morning and clean conditions, but it drops off through the week. Tuesday the 22nd eases to 7 ft, Wednesday the 23rd bumps back up to 12 ft with a clean offshore in the afternoon from the SSE. Thursday the 24th holds at 12 ft with light offshore winds – another excellent session for experienced surfers.
And then we get a little gift. Friday the 25th morning: 10 ft SW swell, 15-second period, and glassy conditions with a 3 mph easterly. That’s about as clean as it gets. The afternoon is exceptional again with 10 ft surf and calm winds (7708 energy). Saturday the 26th stays good at 8 ft with light winds. Sunday the 27th rounds it out with a 10 ft, 18-second period groundswell in the morning – very long period, so the point and reef will be your friends there, and the beach breaks might get a bit straight.
So, the best of the best? Friday 18th morning for the offshore lines, and Sunday 20th afternoon for the sheer size and power with clean conditions. Both are expert-level but absolutely world-class. For the experienced surfer not looking for a barrel with your name on it, the mornings of the 25th and 26th are also brilliant.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat morning, light winds from the SW by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 11 | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4232 | 5730 | 10265 | 10400 | 9507 | 6947 | 5722 | 4698 | 3192 | 2356 | 2155 | 1559 | 933 | 494 | 848 | 2491 | 2648 | 2417 | 5603 | 4895 | 4885 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:01AM2.92m | 10:18PM3.02m | 10:39AM2.92m | 10:54PM2.95m | 11:15AM2.86m | 11:30PM2.82m | 11:51AM2.75m | 00:06AM2.65m | 12:29PM2.59m | 00:44AM2.45m | 1:09PM2.42m | 1:26AM2.26m | 1:57PM2.24m | 2:19AM2.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:10PM-0.01m | 4:33AM-0.04m | 4:49PM0.04m | 5:10AM0.03m | 5:27PM0.15m | 5:46AM0.16m | 6:05PM0.31m | 6:22AM0.33m | 6:44PM0.50m | 7:01AM0.53m | 7:27PM0.69m | 7:46AM0.71m | 8:19PM0.87m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 4 | 7 |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | SW 16 | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
3592 | 5730 | 10265 | — | — | 6947 | 5722 | 4698 | 3192 | 2356 | 2155 | 1559 | 933 | 494 | 848 | 2491 | 2648 | 2417 | 5603 | 4895 | 4885 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — | NW 7 | WNW 8 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 32 | 32 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 10 | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | — | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
4232 | 2355 | — | 10400 | 9507 | — | 4948 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 171 | 124 | 85 | 85 | 138 | 228 | 153 | 138 | 228 | 138 | 138 | 231 | 166 | 312 | 121 | 8 | 289 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Auckland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










