
Surf Forecasts:
Piha-The Bar surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 10,400 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period with SW 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 (Sep 13) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 16s 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 4.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Piha-The Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for Piha-The-Bar over the next couple of weeks. It’s a proper exposed spot, so it cops the full force of the South Pacific. The water temp is sitting around 58°F, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, nothing unusual there.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a monster swell rolling in. Saturday the 12th kicks off with a solid 12ft groundswell from the WSW, but that wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-shore, making things lumpy and a bit of a battle. The combined energy is high (8085), so plenty of water moving, but conditions are only marginal.
Sunday the 13th is where it gets bonkers, but not in a good way for most. The swell jacks up to 15ft from the SW with a very long 16-second period. That’s a huge, powerful groundswell. The combined wave energy is through the roof (10400). The wind is still a fresh cross-shore, but the real issue is that this is simply too big. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s going to be a hairy beast. Sunday afternoon drops to a 13ft swell, still massive.
Monday the 14th is still pumping with a 12ft swell, but the wind finally eases to a 12 mph cross-shore. The energy is still strong (5268). However, Monday afternoon sees the wind turn to a clean cross-offshore, but the swell is still a meaty 10ft. It’s still big, advanced territory.
Now, look closely at Thursday the 17th afternoon. This is a real standout. The swell has dropped to a more manageable 8ft from the WSW, with a solid 14-second period. But the real magic is the wind: it goes totally glassy. A light 3 mph from the NW. The combined energy is still moderate (2182), but that glassy surface will make for the cleanest, smoothest faces you’ll see in this whole window. It’s an excellent call for experienced surfers.
Friday the 18th afternoon is also a beauty. You’ve got a 10ft SW groundswell (16-second period) and a light 6 mph cross-offshore breeze. The energy is very strong (4495), but the wind conditions will keep it clean. Another top option for the crew who can handle big, clean lines at the Bar.
Then we hit a rough patch. From the 19th onwards, the wind gets messy again, with strong cross and onshore breezes and the swell staying large. It looks pretty grim for a few days. The one that really catches my eye is Monday the 21st morning. The sun is out, a light 6 mph S wind is blowing clean cross-offshore, and the swell is still a solid 10ft from the WSW with a 14-second period. The energy is huge (7255). This is a genuine standout for the second week—a real gem for expert surfers, though it’s a long-range call so keep an eye on it.
After that, the end of the month looks pretty ordinary, with strong winds and onshore slop ruining most of the sessions. There are some genuine bombs in this forecast, but they’re for the experienced crew only.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
5730 | 10265 | 10400 | 9507 | 6947 | 5268 | 4530 | 3192 | 2356 | 2265 | 1470 | 933 | 572 | 555 | 980 | 2182 | 1471 | 4593 | 4474 | 4467 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 10:18PM3.02m | 10:39AM2.92m | 10:54PM2.95m | 11:15AM2.86m | 11:30PM2.82m | 11:51AM2.75m | 00:06AM2.65m | 12:29PM2.59m | 00:44AM2.45m | 1:09PM2.42m | 1:26AM2.26m | 1:57PM2.24m | 2:19AM2.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:33AM-0.04m | 4:49PM0.04m | 5:10AM0.03m | 5:27PM0.15m | 5:46AM0.16m | 6:05PM0.31m | 6:22AM0.33m | 6:44PM0.50m | 7:01AM0.53m | 7:27PM0.69m | 7:46AM0.71m | 8:19PM0.87m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 8 | 3 | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | SW 16 | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
5730 | 10265 | — | — | 6947 | 5268 | 4530 | 3192 | 2356 | 2265 | 1470 | 933 | 572 | 555 | 980 | 2182 | 1471 | 4593 | 4474 | 4467 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | SW 6 | WSW 18 | WSW 15 | — | W 7 | — | WNW 7 | NW 8 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 32 | 31 | 403 | — | 161 | — | 21 | 22 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | NNW 4 | — | — | — | SSW 4 | — |
2355 | — | 10400 | 9507 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 38 | 13 | — | — | — | 15 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 124 | 85 | 85 | 138 | 153 | 153 | 138 | 0 | 101 | 166 | 231 | 166 | 339 | 121 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 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.










