Piha-The Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° S 174.47° E

Piha-The Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 11 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Piha-The Bar sea temperature is
13.5° C
0.9° 

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 11 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 8,162 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 14s is also forecast. 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 4.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Thu 13th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Sun 16th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sun 16th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into what’s coming up for Piha.

We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, but this is definitely not a beginner’s window. The opening days are a bit small, but the real meat of the forecast kicks in around Friday the 14th and builds into a big, powerful swell event. The standout period is absolutely the weekend of the 15th and 16th of August, with massive, clean, heavy groundswell. This is for experienced surfers only.

The water temperature is sitting at 56.3°, which is about 1.6° cooler than average for this time of year – so, pretty much what you’d expect, a bit nippy but nothing wild.

Let’s start at Piha-The-Bar. Tuesday the 11th of August kicks things off with a little 4.3 ft swell from the WSW, with a period of 13 seconds, and a light 5 km/h easterly breeze making it pretty clean. The energy is moderate (885). A nice little intro to the run.

Wednesday the 12th is a write-off. The wind cranks up to 25 km/h from the ENE, making it messy, and the swell drops to 2.9 ft. Not worth paddling out.

Thursday the 13th morning is where it gets interesting. The swell drops to 2.0 ft, but the period is a very long 18 seconds, and the energy is still pumping (772). Wind is a light 10 km/h from the NE. It’ll be clean, but that long period at a beach break like this might make it a bit straight and tricky to line up. It’s a surfer’s challenge.

Then it all kicks off. Friday the 14th of August morning brings a solid 6.2 ft WSW swell, 16-second period, and a light 5 km/h easterly wind. The energy is moderate (2000). This is excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon goes glassy with a 5.6 ft swell and a 5 km/h ESE wind – that’s a major positive for clean, lined-up waves.

Now, the big one. Saturday the 15th of August is the standout. Morning brings a 7.5 ft WSW swell at 17 seconds, with a light 10 km/h SSE wind. The combined energy is strong (3123). The water will be clean. This is a serious, powerful groundswell. It’s not for the faint-hearted. The afternoon sees the swell jump to 9.8 ft, but the wind swings to 25 km/h SSW, making it lumpy. The morning is the window.

Sunday the 16th of August is still pumping. An 8.2 ft swell in the morning with 25 km/h SSW wind makes it a mission, but it’s still cross-off. The energy is very strong (4507). This is a big, heavy day for the experienced crew.

Monday the 17th of August stays big, with 7.2 ft to 9.8 ft swells, but the wind is up to 30 km/h from the south. It’s on the edge of being too messy for paddle surfing, but the power is undeniable.

The surf eases back into the following week. Tuesday the 18th of August is a great call – 6.9 ft swell, 14-second period, and a light 10 km/h southerly, making it clean. The energy is moderate (1710). This is another excellent session for experienced surfers.

Wednesday the 19th of August has a 4.9 ft swell in the morning, but the wind picks up. The afternoon sees a 7.2 ft swell with 20 km/h SSW wind, which is a bit raw.

Thursday the 20th of August morning is a solid option: 6.9 ft swell, 14-second period, light 15 km/h SSW wind. Clean and powerful. The afternoon turns cross-shore, making it a bit choppy.

Friday the 21st of August is a nice, clean 5.2 ft swell with light winds all day. A good, solid session.

After that, the window closes. Saturday the 22nd of August gets messy with onshore winds, Sunday the 23rd gets hammered by a 35 km/h WSW wind, and then we see a massive 13.1 ft swell on Wednesday the 26th of August, but it’s choppy and cross-onshore. That big swell with poor wind is a kite surfer’s dream, not a paddle surfer’s.

The best bet is Saturday the 15th of August morning at Piha-The-Bar for the biggest, cleanest, most powerful groundswell of the run. The 18th of August is a close second for a cleaner, slightly smaller session.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the S by Mon morning).

Tue
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
1
1
2
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
4
3
4
4
5
3
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
19
0.9
WSW
18
0.9
WSW
16
0.9
WSW
16
0.8
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
17
1.4
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
15
2.3
WSW
17
3
WSW
17
3
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
16
2.4
WSW
16
3.5
SW
15
2.2
WSW
15
3
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
536
572
480
422
387
266
932
1018
1849
1451
1258
3022
4927
3968
3253
2827
4681
2042
3281
2944
Wind (km/h)
5
E
25
ENE
25
ENE
20
ENE
25
ENE
10
NE
5
WNW
5
NE
5
E
5
ESE
5
SE
10
SSE
25
SSW
25
SW
25
SSW
20
S
25
SSE
30
S
25
SSW
15
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:30PM2.84m
8:53AM2.73m
9:19PM3.00m
9:41AM2.84m
10:03PM3.09m
10:25AM2.90m
10:45PM3.10m
11:07AM2.89m
11:25PM3.03m
11:47AM2.83m
00:04AM2.89m
12:27PM2.71m
00:43AM2.71m
Low Tide
2:45AM0.18m
3:02PM0.08m
3:35AM0.04m
3:49PM-0.02m
4:20AM-0.05m
4:34PM-0.05m
5:03AM-0.06m
5:17PM-0.01m
5:43AM0.00m
5:58PM0.11m
6:23AM0.13m
6:39PM0.27m
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:03
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:49
 mm
4
5
6
1
2
2
Temp °C
14
12
12
12
13
15
15
14
15
16
14
14
14
13
13
12
10
10
11
11
Feels °C
12
7
7
8
9
15
15
14
15
16
13
11
10
8
9
8
3
3
5
6
  • Map Icons:
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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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