
Surf Forecasts:
Piha-The Bar surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 9,129 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 15s period. 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 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 8s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Piha-The Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Alright, let’s get into this one. We’re looking at a solid run of swell for Piha-The-Bar, but it’s not all clean and easy. There’s plenty of size on the table, but wind and conditions will be the deciding factor. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing too wild.
We kick off on Monday, September 14, with some serious size. Morning’s seeing a 12ft SW swell rolling in, with a very long 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy pumping (5268 energy). The wind is cross/cross-off, but it’s not perfect; there’s a cross-chop. It’s a heavy, powerful day for experienced surfers only. The afternoon cleans up a bit, dropping to 10ft, still 15 seconds, and the wind goes cross-off. That’s a step in the right direction.
Tuesday, September 15, is where it starts getting good. Morning has 8ft SW swell, 14-second period, and cross-off winds. Clean waves, heaps of energy (2356), and conditions are right for experienced surfers. This is a standout session if you’ve got the skills. The afternoon drops a little in size and the wind goes cross, so the window is definitely the morning.
From Wednesday, September 16, through the weekend, it gets tricky. The swell stays solid, often above 10ft, but the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, and the periods start dropping. Friday afternoon, September 18, is a real beast – 16ft, 14-second WSW swell, and a heap of energy (9129). The wind is light but cross-onshore. That setup is wild but messy, probably better suited for tow-surfing or maybe even a kite session if you’re into that kind of chaos.
Now, one true standout window appears on Sunday, September 20. The morning has 12ft SW swell with a 15-second period, cross winds, and a massive energy reading (10171). The afternoon is similar. That’s a clean, powerful day, but it’s for experts only – that 12ft mark is well past the beginner zone.
The following week gets a bit smaller, but there are some gems. Wednesday, September 23, afternoon has a 10ft WSW swell with a very long 18-second period – that’s a real groundswell – and light wind. It’s a bit wonky with the cross-onshore, but the quality is there for the right crew.
The absolute pick of the run, though, is Tuesday, September 29, morning. 7ft WSW swell, 18-second period, and cross-off winds. That’s clean, powerful, and heavy. The energy is strong (4612) and the wind is offshore. That’s a session you don’t want to miss if you’re experienced.
Remember, with these long period swells (over 15 seconds) at Piha-The-Bar, the waves will have heaps of power and longer lulls between sets. It’s a beach break, so be ready for some straight walls on the bigger sets.
Overall, there’s surf nearly every day, but the conditions chop and change. The real standouts are Tuesday morning, September 15, and Tuesday morning, September 29. Get in the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Thu night, light winds from the W by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WNW 9 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 12 | WSW 10 | SW 10 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
6731 | 5268 | 4530 | 3192 | 2356 | 2155 | 1470 | 867 | 572 | 803 | 874 | 1428 | 6009 | 6747 | 9129 | 2441 | 3715 | 4280 | 6662 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 2:59PM2.10m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:42AM0.87m | 9:27PM0.99m | |||||||
— | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 6 | 1 | — | 1 | 6 |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 14 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | — | — | WSW 14 |
6731 | 5268 | 4530 | 3192 | 2356 | 2155 | 1470 | 867 | 572 | 803 | 874 | 1142 | 6009 | 6747 | 9129 | 2261 | — | — | 6662 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | SW 6 | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 30 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | NW 6 | WNW 9 | — | — | ESE 4 | WSW 12 | WSW 10 | SW 10 | WSW 14 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 29 | 188 | 1428 | — | — | 19 | 2441 | 3715 | 4280 | 5305 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 228 | 153 | 138 | 191 | 0 | 231 | 231 | 289 | 312 | 1 | 325 | 284 | 81 | 127 | 11 | 110 | 195 | 340 | 337 |
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.










