Piha-The Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Piha. We’ve got some serious size on the way, but most of it is going to be too much for the average surfer. The swell energy is massive, but the wind isn’t always playing ball.

It starts Sunday the 13th of September. There’s a solid 13ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period. The combined swell energy is pumping at 17102. Water temp is 58°, which is about normal for the time of year. But honestly, 13ft is well over the 8ft mark, so it’s only for experts. The wind is a cross-shore SW at 25 km/h, which is going to make it lumpy. Piha is exposed to the SW, so it’s getting the full force.

Monday the 14th is still huge. The morning has 12ft SW groundswell (16 sec, energy 5268), but the report says marginal surf with questionable tide. Wind is still cross-shore at 20 km/h. The afternoon cleans up a bit with a cross-offshore breeze and 10ft SW swell, but it’s still a lot of water.

Now, here’s the best of the run. Tuesday the 15th of September morning is the standout. You’ve got 8ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period, and the wind is a light cross-offshore from the SSW at 15 km/h. That’s clean. The combined energy is 2356, which is strong but manageable. This is excellent for experienced surfers. It’s over 5ft, so beginners should give it a miss, but for anyone with some experience, this is the session to target. Crowds can be a factor here sometimes, but for these conditions, it’s worth it.

From Wednesday the 16th, things drop off. The swell goes to 5ft on Wednesday morning, but the wind swings onshore from the W, making it messy. The energy is down to 882, so it’s only moderate. The rest of the week into the weekend is mostly poor. Thursday and Friday see onshore winds and rain.

Then Friday the 18th morning we get another massive pulse: 15ft W groundswell with a 14-second period and energy at 6630. The wind is light onshore from the NW, but the swell is far too big. Expert only.

Saturday the 19th is a write-off. 13ft to 15ft, but with strong cross-onshore winds, it’s going to be lumpy.

We get another huge pulse on Sunday the 20th. 15ft SW swell, 13-second period in the morning, and 15ft WSW in the afternoon with a 15-second period. The energy is 9073 and 16481. But again, too big for most. The wind is cross-shore.

Monday the 21st drops to 10ft, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s choppy.

Tuesday the 22nd of September is another expert standout. The morning has 18ft WSW swell with a 12-second period, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the S at 25 km/h. That’s massive. The energy is 9505. The afternoon is similar but with a gentle cross-shore wind.

The rest of the run into the last week of September is more of the same: big swell, often too big, with a mix of winds. A few days drop to 6ft or 6ft, but the wind is not favorable.

If I had to pick one session, it’s Tuesday the 15th of September morning. The 8ft SW swell, 14-second groundswell, and light cross-offshore wind is the best you’re going to get. Everything else is either too big or too windy. The long period (over 15 seconds) swells on the 13th, 14th, 20th, and 24th will be powerful, but at a beach break like Piha, they can break a bit straight. Better for the experienced crew.

Keep an eye on Tuesday the 15th morning. That’s the one.

Rusty.

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