
Surf Forecasts:
Piha-The Bar surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 18s period, SW swell with 8,048 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Piha-The Bar in the next 16 days are 3.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Piha-The Bar over the next 16 days.
G’day, Rusty here, and we’ve got a solid 16-day window shaping up at Piha-The-Bar. This is a serious, exposed beach break that demands respect, especially when it’s pumping. And it’s going to pump. The ocean’s got a heap of energy in the tank, with combined swell energy readings hitting 7340 on Thursday the 9th, and 9247 on Friday the 10th – that’s strong to very strong stuff. Water temp is sitting right on 59°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The standout period is Thursday the 9th of July through to the weekend. It kicks off Thursday afternoon with a solid 13ft swell from the SSW, period 13 seconds, and a cross-off wind from the SSE at 22 mph. It’s a big, powerful, clean wave, but at 13ft, this is strictly for advanced surfers only. The energy is insane (7340). Friday the 10th is the absolute best on offer. Morning session sees a 12ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period, cross-off S wind at 16 mph, and combined energy of 9247. The afternoon drops to 10ft with a 17-second period and lighter SSW wind at 9 mph. This is groundswell of the highest order – long, lined-up sets, but at a beach break like Piha, that long period can make them break a bit straight. Still, for the experienced, this is world-class. Saturday the 11th is a treat for the experts too, with 6ft WSW swell, and by the afternoon, it’s 6ft from the SW with a 14-second period and offshore wind from the SE at 6 mph. Clean, glassy, and punchy for the size.
Sunday the 12th is a gem. Morning has 7ft SW swell with a 16-second period and light E wind, but the afternoon is the real moment: 7ft WSW swell, 15-second period, and glassy conditions with E wind at 3 mph. Combined energy is 1907. That’s a clean, powerful, and very surfable afternoon. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so get out early or late.
After that, the surf drops off. Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are smaller and less clean, with onshore or cross-onshore winds and short to mid-period swells. By Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th, the swell bumps back up, but it’s onshore and messy, with risk of thunderstorms and light rain. Friday the 17th sees a clean, cross-off SSW wind at 19 mph, with 7ft and 7ft SW swells, but the wind is strong, making it a bit of a battle.
The second week has a few flickers. Saturday the 18th is a nice little window: 6ft and 5ft WSW swells with clean, light winds and combined energy around 1066 and 1039. Sunday the 19th is okay but with cross-on flow. The real hidden gem is Tuesday the 21st of July afternoon: 5ft WSW swell, 14-second period, and glassy conditions with ENE wind at 3 mph. Combined energy 1222. That’s clean, low-stress, and fun for experienced surfers. Wednesday the 22nd has a bigger 8ft SW swell but with moderate wind, and then Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th get hammered by strong breeze cross-off winds at 25-28 mph, with tiny, poor surf. The combined energy drops to 512 and 624, so it’s a write-off.
Overall, the big winner is Friday the 10th of July – morning or afternoon, take your pick. The second best is Sunday the 12th of July afternoon, with that glassy 7ft swell. If you’re a beginner, stay away from the 13ft and 12ft days; they’re dangerous. For the rest, it’s a classic winter run at Piha. Stay safe out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thu 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WSW 13 | W 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
5302 | 5668 | 8048 | 5692 | 2839 | 1655 | 1203 | 2475 | 2291 | 1907 | 1409 | 947 | 626 | 261 | 240 | 322 | 373 | 914 | 915 | 2943 | 2342 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 4:23PM2.36m | 4:46AM2.41m | 5:32PM2.42m | 5:56AM2.44m | 6:39PM2.54m | 7:04AM2.52m | 7:42PM2.69m | 8:06AM2.64m | 8:39PM2.86m | 9:03AM2.75m | 9:32PM2.99m | 9:54AM2.82m | 10:21PM3.08m | 10:43AM2.85m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:38PM0.64m | 11:12AM0.47m | 11:46PM0.59m | 12:18PM0.41m | 00:54AM0.48m | 1:21PM0.31m | 1:57AM0.33m | 2:20PM0.18m | 2:55AM0.19m | 3:14PM0.07m | 3:48AM0.07m | 4:05PM-0.01m | 4:39AM0.00m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | |
5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | 5:23 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 |
1811 | 1004 | 1199 | 3301 | 2839 | 1655 | 1203 | 2475 | 2291 | 1907 | 1409 | 947 | 626 | 261 | 240 | 322 | 320 | 914 | 764 | 2943 | 2342 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 22 | — | — | — | SSW 6 | S 7 | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | W 24 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 20 | WSW 18 |
227 | — | — | — | 127 | 89 | 915 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 11 | 189 | 212 | 373 | 427 | 915 | 259 | 1081 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 22 | WSW 20 | SW 18 | WSW 21 | WSW 21 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 552 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 47 | 158 | 323 | 302 | 302 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 17 | — | E 3 | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | N 4 | NNW 5 | — | — | — | SW 6 | — | — | — |
5302 | 5668 | 8048 | 5692 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 13 | 106 | — | — | — | 25 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 207 | 236 | 81 | 85 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 7 | 44 | 0 | 40 | 312 | 11 | 245 |
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.











