Piha-The Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight up – the next 16 days at Piha-The-Bar are a mixed bag, but there’s a solid window of clean, powerful swell building for the experienced crew. The water’s sitting around 57°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

The first few days are a slow start. Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th are pretty average – Saturday morning’s got a tiny 2ft WSW swell with a cross-on breeze, and the energy is weak (192). Sunday morning gets a jump to 8ft from the WNW, but the period is a short 9 seconds and the wind is cross-on, making it a messy, marginal call. Sunday afternoon cleans up a bit with a 5ft WSW swell, light offshore wind, and a long 15-second period, but the score’s still only a 3.

Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th stay marginal. Monday morning’s 4ft WSW swell with a 16-second period has some promise but the wind is cross, and the energy is moderate (1149). Tuesday morning is the first real highlight of the week: 4ft from the WSW, 14-second period, and a light cross-off breeze that’s keeping things clean. The energy is decent (874) and the conditions are rated as “very good.” This is your best bet for the early part of the run – a clean, long-period groundswell that’ll hold shape at the bar.

The mid-week gets messy again. Wednesday the 12th drops to 3ft with a strong cross-off wind, and Thursday the 13th is a write-off with a heavy cross-on. But then Friday the 14th morning – this is a standout. Glassy conditions, 8ft from the WNW, a short 9-second period, and massive energy (2302). The comment says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a big, powerful, clean wave for the early crew. Friday afternoon jumps to 10ft from the WNW, but it’s cross-shore and a bit lumpy.

Now, from Saturday the 15th through to Monday the 17th, the swell is too big for this break. We’re talking 15ft to 13ft of WSW and SW swell with huge energy (4420 up to 10369). The wind is cross or cross-off, but mate, that’s expert-only territory – and even then, it’s borderline dangerous. The comments say “too big for this break.” If you’re a kiter, maybe it’s interesting, but for paddle surfing, stay out.

The real gold comes from Tuesday the 18th onward. Tuesday morning is 8ft from the WSW, 13-second period, moderate energy (2576), and clean cross-off wind. Tuesday afternoon drops to 8ft SW, 13 seconds, with a gentle cross-off – excellent for experienced surfers. Wednesday the 19th holds 8ft SW with a light cross breeze, but Thursday the 20th is the absolute peak: Thursday afternoon brings 8ft from the SW, 15-second period, 4426 energy, and offshore wind. That’s a clean, powerful, long-period groundswell – perfect for the bar. This is the best session on offer.

Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd keep it going with 7ft to 6ft SW swells, 14-15 second periods, and offshore or glassy conditions. Energy stays strong (1456 to 2512). Saturday morning is glassy with 5ft SW – a dream. Sunday the 23rd eases off to 3ft WSW with a 14-second period and glassy conditions, but the energy drops to 726.

Overall, the standout is Thursday the 20th afternoon – 8ft SW, 15-second period, offshore wind, and massive energy. That’s your call. The second best is Tuesday the 18th afternoon for consistent, clean 8ft SW. Crowds are “sometimes” at Piha, so expect a few locals out, but nothing crazy.

Rusty out.

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