
Surf Forecasts:
Piha-The Bar surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 5,409 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Piha-The Bar over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got one spot on the menu for the next 16 days, and it’s Piha-The-Bar. This is an exposed, advanced-level break, so it’s not for the faint of heart. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.
The surf window kicks off on Sunday, July 12th, and it’s a ripper to start. Sunday morning is looking magic with a 7ft SW swell at a very long 16 seconds, and the wind is a cross-off from the ENE at just 3 mph. That’s clean, powerful, and the combined energy is pumping at 2291 (moderate energy). This is the standout session of the whole period – big, clean, and lined up. It’s too big for beginners, but for the experienced crew, it’s game on. Sunday afternoon holds up just as well with a 7ft WSW swell, glassy conditions, and that same long-period energy.
Now, Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are a bit of a letdown. The swell drops and the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, making things choppy and messy. Not worth paddling out.
Wednesday the 15th through the weekend sees a ramp-up in size, but the wind is mostly onshore or cross, creating lumpy conditions. The swell is pushing 10ft for a few days from the WSW, which is massive and only for experts. The combined energy hits 3111, 4950, and even 4166 at times, which is strong to very strong, but the wind keeps it from being pristine. There are brief windows of cleaner conditions, like Thursday afternoon with a cross-off SSW wind and Saturday afternoon with light cross-shore wind, but the overall quality is marginal.
Towards the end of the run, we see a solid clean-up. Monday, July 20th serves up a 7ft WSW swell with offshore SE winds at 6 mph, and it’s clean. That’s another good one. The energy is moderate at 1689. The swell drops a bit through the middle of the week, but the wind stays favorable, keeping the waves clean even if smaller.
By Thursday the 23rd, there’s a late surge of 10ft WSW swell, but the period is short at 8 seconds, so it’ll be fat and crumbly, not the same quality as the long-period stuff. Still, clean conditions.
Friday the 24th is another highlight morning: 6ft WSW swell, 13-second period, light cross-off wind, clean. That’s a solid session.
After that, the last few days of the period get messy again with onshore winds and lumpy conditions, especially the 27th with 19 mph cross-on wind. Not one to get excited about.
The standout? Without a doubt, Sunday, July 12th. That morning session is the best on offer – long-period groundswell, clean, and powerful. For a second pick, Monday, July 20th gives you clean, offshore conditions with a solid 7ft swell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 13 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2291 | 1907 | 1409 | 947 | 626 | 313 | 650 | 319 | 932 | 1922 | 4950 | 4792 | 4166 | 3669 | 2805 | 2379 | 2181 | 2187 | 3056 | 3143 | 5135 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:42PM2.69m | 8:06AM2.64m | 8:39PM2.86m | 9:03AM2.75m | 9:32PM2.99m | 9:54AM2.82m | 10:21PM3.08m | 10:43AM2.85m | 11:08PM3.09m | 11:31AM2.83m | 11:53PM3.03m | 12:17PM2.75m | 00:38AM2.90m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 4:54PM-0.03m | 5:27AM-0.01m | 5:41PM0.01m | 6:14AM0.05m | 6:28PM0.12m | ||||||||
7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | |
— | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WNW 8 | W 13 | W 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | — | SW 14 | SW 17 |
2291 | 1907 | 1409 | 947 | 626 | 313 | 225 | 319 | 932 | 1189 | 4950 | 4792 | 4166 | 3669 | 2805 | 2379 | 2181 | 2187 | — | 3143 | 5135 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 24 | WSW 22 | WSW 13 | SW 18 | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 24 | WSW 21 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 11 | 48 | 249 | 327 | 1922 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 45 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 22 | WSW 20 | WSW 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 160 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 6 | WNW 8 | — | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | — | — |
— | — | — | 13 | 22 | 111 | 650 | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3056 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 337 | 121 | 11 | 85 | 125 | 120 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 119 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 11 | 0 |
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.










