Piha-The Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s comin’ down the line for Piha. It’s gonna be a wild ride, so strap in.

The forecast period kicks off with a bit of a dud. We’ve got a few days of messy, blown-out conditions before things tidy up. The first real window where you’d want to paddle out doesn’t look solid until later on.

Starting Friday the 24th and through Sunday the 26th, it’s a write-off. Friday morning has a bumpy 4ft WSW swell, but with a cross-on wind, it’s poor. Friday afternoon gets bigger at 8ft but with onshore winds and a weak, short period swell (7 seconds) – just no good. Saturday the 25th is a monster. Swell hits 23ft from the WSW with a long 13-second period, and the energy is absolutely pumping (15183). But the wind is howling cross-shore at 28 mph. That’s not for paddle surfing; that’s kite territory at a beach break like this. It cleans up a little Sunday afternoon, with a 12ft WSW groundswell (14-second period) and light cross-off winds, but the water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about normal for the time of year. For experienced surfers only.

Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th bring smaller, cleaner conditions. Monday you’re looking at 8ft WSW groundswell with clean cross-off winds. Not epic, but rideable. Tuesday though, that’s a standout for the first week. Tuesday morning is magic: 6ft of WSW groundswell with glassy conditions. The energy is moderate (949), but the clean, windless surface will make it feel perfect. Tuesday afternoon stays clean with 5ft and light winds. This is your best bet early on.

After that, the mid-week is a mixed bag. Wednesday the 29th is small, but Wednesday afternoon goes glassy again with 4ft – a sneaky good session if you’re desperate. Thursday the 30th is marginal with light cross-onshore winds.

Now, the real gem is sitting at the end of the first week and into the second. Saturday the 1st of August is a top pick. We’ve got 8ft of WSW swell in the morning, building to 10ft in the afternoon, with gentle offshore winds all day (SE). The energy is strong (2208-2556) and the break is exposed, so it’ll handle that size. This is excellent for experienced surfers.

Sunday the 2nd stays clean with a moderate offshore breeze and 6ft swell from the WSW/SW. A solid session.

Then we hit a gap. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th see the swell drop and get a bit funky. Monday has a small 4ft swell but with fresh offshore winds – clean but small. Tuesday pumps up to 7ft from the SW with a very long 17-second period and strong energy (3564), but it’s still only rated as marginal. That long period can make a beach break like this close out or jack up weird. Still, with fresh offshore winds, it’s worth a look for the brave.

The week from the 5th onward is steady. Clean, cross-off winds with consistent 7ft to 8ft WSW groundswells. Nothing huge, nothing terrible. A lot of clean, fat lines for the patient surfer.

But the big standout, the one that gets my heart pumping, is Saturday the 8th of August. That morning you’ve got a big 12ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period, and it’s clean with a moderate cross-off breeze. The energy is massive (7246). This is a serious swell. At that size, it’s expert-only, and with Piha being exposed, it’ll be handling all that power. This is the call of the 16-day window – a true big-wave day for the crew who know what they’re doing. Crowds are sometimes a factor here, so get in early.

So, to wrap it up: for the regular punter, aim for Tuesday the 28th or Saturday the 1st of August. For the big-wave chargers, circle Saturday the 8th of August.

Rusty.

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