Piha-The Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, looking you straight in the eye. We’ve got a proper run of swell on the way for Piha, so let’s get into it.

The pattern over the next couple of weeks is all about the west and south-west groundswells, with a lot of energy piling in. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty average for this time of year, nothing wild to report there.

We kick off this Tuesday, the 11th of August, with the first decent chance. The morning will be glassy with the wind barely a breath from the ENE at 3 mph. We’re looking at a 1.3m swell from the WSW with a period of 14 seconds – proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is sitting at 872 (moderate), but that clean face with no wind is the real winner here. It’s an advanced wave, so don’t be a hero if you’re not ready for it, and crowds are sometimes a thing here, so keep your head on a swivel.

Thursday the 13th is where it starts to get serious. By the afternoon, we’ve got a 1.3m WSW swell but the period jumps to 17 seconds and the combined energy rockets to 1902 (strong). That’s a lot of water moving, and the wind is a light cross-off from the ENE at 6 mph, keeping it clean for experienced surfers. This is the first standout for the confident crew – that long period will wrap in proper, but it’ll be a bit fat on the sets at this size.

Friday the 14th keeps the momentum. Morning swell is 1.5m, building to 1.7m in the afternoon, both from the WSW with a 16-second period and light ENE/E winds. Combined energy is in the 1600s (strong). Clean, solid, and consistent.

Then Saturday the 15th morning is the pick of the first week. The wind goes offshore from the SSE at 6 mph, the swell hits 2.2m from the WSW at 17 seconds, and the combined energy is a thumping 2905 (strong). This is expert territory now, but for those who can handle it, this is your dawny – glassy, powerful lines.

Sunday the 16th holds size at 2.5m, but the wind swings stronger from the SSW, making it less inviting. Still big, but the quality drops off with that cross-off wind building to 16 mph in the arvo.

Now, looking ahead, Monday the 17th of August is the real standout for the crew who charge. The morning brings a 3.5m SW swell with a 14-second period, proper offshore from the SSE at 12 mph, and the combined energy is monstrous at 5570 (very strong). This is exceptional for experts only – it’s a big, powerful ocean out there. If you’re not on it, you’re watching from the rocks.

We get a bit of a breather through the middle of the week, but there’s clean 1.7m to 2.2m swell on the 18th, 19th, and 20th, with light winds keeping things tidy for experienced surfers.

The 24th of August (Monday) shows a bit of a weird one – a 2.1m swell from the WSW but with a period of only 7 seconds. That’s short period windswell, combined energy at 714 (moderate). It’s offshore from the ESE at 12 mph, so it’ll be clean, but those short-period waves don’t have the same grunt. Could be fun for a grovel.

The final standout in this window is the 25th of August (Tuesday). Morning sees a solid 4.0m SW swell with an 11-second period and strong offshore from the ESE at 16 mph. Combined energy is 4067 (very strong). This is a big, heavy day – clean offshore lines, but only for those with serious skills. The wind does hold offshore through the 26th (Wednesday) as well, with a 3.0m SW swell and 14-second period, also an option if you want to avoid the peak crowd.

So, if you’re after the absolute best on offer: the dawn patrol on Saturday the 15th of August for the big, clean stuff, and Monday the 17th of August for the real heavy hitters. Late in the window, the 25th of August is another ripper, but it’s a long way off, so keep an eye on it.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

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