Piha-The Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° S 174.47° E

Piha-The Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 30 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Piha-The Bar sea temperature is
14.1°C
0.0° 

Piha-The Bar surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Piha-The Bar surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 9,507 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 5.0m and 14s 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 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Mon 31st Aug)16ft (5.0m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Mon 31st Aug)16ft (5.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 31st Aug)16ft (5.0m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Piha-The Bar over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Piha-The-Bar. We’ve got a proper beast of a forecast coming our way, but the timing is everything. Don’t even think about paddling out for the first few days – it’s a write-off.

Right now, through the end of August and into the start of September, it’s ugly. We’re staring down a massive, angry sea. Sunday the 30th is a washout with a 10-foot SW swell that’s got a short, weak 8-second period and a howling 22 mph cross-wind. The water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The wave energy is up at a massive 2101, but with that wind, it’s just a lumpy, choppy mess. Monday the 31st is even worse – the swell jumps to 15 feet and the wind goes cross-onshore, making it completely unsurfable. The energy is off the charts (6235 to 8645), but it’s all just brutal, moving water.

The first real chance of anything comes on Tuesday the 1st of September. The swell is a solid 15 feet to 16 feet from the SW, with a very long 14-second period. The wind is a cleaner cross-shore, 19 mph to 22 mph. The model says it’s “too big for this break,” and honestly, for anyone but the absolute top-tier crew, it is. At over 8 feet, this is expert-only territory. The energy is pumping at 9315. It’s a raw, powerful groundswell that will be breaking straight and heavy on the beach. The wind and tide are favorable, but you’d better be on your game.

The pattern stays messy through the rest of the first week and into the second. Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd are a saga of onshore winds and choppy conditions. Friday the 4th is a write-off, but Saturday the 5th is where we get a little glimmer. The swell is still a meaty 12 feet to 13 feet from the WSW with a 14-15 second period, and the wind drops right out to a light 6 mph cross-onshore. The combined energy is massive (5413 to 7446). It’s still marginal due to the tide, but those light winds mean it’ll be a lot cleaner, with only small wind ripples. It’s the best of the first ten days, but still not a classic.

Then we get a proper storm for the 6th and 7th of September. Sunday the 6th sees a 31 mph near gale ripping onshore, and Monday the 7th is a strong cross-onshore mess with 15 feet of swell and energy peaking at 10351. This is kite-surfing weather, not paddle surfing. The rest of the second week continues that pattern of strong wind and big, unruly swells.

The standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is the very end of the run. Monday the 14th of September. The morning session is looking good, but the afternoon is the real deal. The swell is 12 feet from the WSW with a fantastic 16-second period, and the wind is a gentle 9 mph cross-offshore. The model is calling it “exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers.” The energy is an incredible 8031. This is a clean, powerful groundswell that will be holding up on the bar. The wind will be clean, the waves will have shape, and the longer gaps between sets will make the paddle out manageable. It’s heavy, expert-only stuff at over 8 feet, but for those who can handle it, this is the session to circle. The 14th September afternoon is the best on offer, by a long shot. Crowds are sometimes an issue at Piha, so be prepared for a few locals out.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Tue night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Thu night, light winds from the WSW by Fri night).

Sun
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
!
!
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
4
5
7
6
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SW
8
3.5
WSW
12
4.5
WSW
13
4.5
WSW
14
5
WSW
14
5
SW
14
4.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
14
3
WSW
14
3
WSW
13
3
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
15
3
WSW
12
2.5
WSW
14
2.3
WSW
11
3
W
10
3
WSW
15
3.5
WSW
14
4
WSW
15
4
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1350
3653
6235
8645
9254
9293
7972
5388
3638
2891
2707
2746
2239
2867
1431
1872
4347
5413
7310
7339
Wind (km/h)
35
WSW
35
WSW
35
WSW
35
WSW
35
WSW
35
SW
30
SW
20
WSW
25
W
25
W
20
WNW
25
NW
30
NW
30
NW
25
NW
20
WSW
15
SW
10
WSW
10
W
10
NNE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
10:58PM2.93m
11:18AM2.81m
11:33PM2.88m
11:56AM2.77m
00:11AM2.79m
12:37PM2.69m
00:54AM2.65m
1:24PM2.56m
1:45AM2.47m
2:21PM2.42m
2:49AM2.31m
3:35PM2.32m
Low Tide
5:12AM0.06m
5:27PM0.14m
5:50AM0.09m
6:07PM0.22m
6:30AM0.19m
6:51PM0.34m
7:16AM0.33m
7:43PM0.49m
8:11AM0.49m
8:46PM0.64m
9:18AM0.62m
10:03PM0.73m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:45
6:43
6:41
6:39
6:39
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:02
6:04
 mm
1
1
1
3
1
Temp °C
14
14
14
14
13
13
13
13
14
14
14
15
15
15
16
15
14
14
14
12
Feels °C
8
8
7
7
7
6
7
8
9
9
10
11
11
11
12
12
11
12
12
10
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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