Piha-The Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let's have a look at what's cookin' at Piha-The Bar. This spot is an exposed SW-facing break, advanced only, and it's fairly consistent.

The water temp here is about 58°, which is pretty much bang on average for late July. Nothin' wild there.

The next few days are a bit of a mixed bag. Saturday arvo is pretty average – a weak 3ft W swell, 12-second period, with a cross breeze. The combined energy is only 273, so it's weak. Not worth paddlin' out for.

Sunday mornin' sees more promise: a clean 7ft WNW swell, 10-second period, with an offshore wind. The energy jumps to 1198 but the forecast still says marginal. Might be a bit short period for a spot like this, but a surly crew might get a few. Sunday arvo has some long-period WSW groundswell at 3ft, 17 seconds, and offshore – but very low energy (1261) and still marginal. Probably past it by then.

Now, Monday the 6th is a different beast altogether. A big 18ft WNW swell rollin' in, 12-second period, with an energy reading of 8424 – that's strong. Problem is, it's too big for Piha-The Bar. This is strictly expert-only territory, and even then, it's gonna be a wild, slabby beast. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it'll be chop on top. Frankly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Monday arvo is still huge at 13ft, 13 seconds, and the same story.

Tuesday through to the end of the first week stays solid but with cleaner conditions. Tuesday mornin' has a 10ft WSW groundswell, 16-second period, with a cross-offshore breeze – clean as. Energy is 5237, moderate. This is a serious swell, advanced only. Tuesday arvo is similar but with a stronger fresh breeze.

Wednesday the 8th has a 8ft SW swell, 14 seconds, and clean cross-off wind. Still a solid size for experienced surfers. Thursday and Friday keep the 10ft SW swell in the mix, with clean cross-off winds, but the energy is in the strong range. The waves will be powerful, with long waits between sets. Great for the crew that knows the bar.

Saturday the 11th drops a touch to 6ft, WSW, 15-second period, and clean cross-off winds. Still a quality groundswell for advanced surfers, with moderate energy (2138).

Now, Sunday the 12th is a standout. A 7ft WSW groundswell, long 16-second period, with a light offshore breeze from the SE – that is glassy, clean, beautiful. The energy is 2587, and conditions are rated excellent for experienced surfers. This is the pick of the forecast. The swell direction matches the optimum SW direction nicely, and the offshore wind will make for some smooth, lined-up faces. Expect crowds here sometimes, so get in early.

Monday the 13th is also very good: 6ft SW, 14 seconds, clean cross-off – excellent conditions again, with moderate energy (1203). A nice follow-up.

The following week starts cleaner but smaller. Tuesday the 14th has a 3ft WSW swell, 12-second period, with a glassy afternoon – energy is low (310), but conditions are good. Wednesday the 15th is tiny, 2-3ft, long period, glassy. Calm days to rest.

Thursday the 16th picks up again: 5ft WSW, 15-second groundswell, clean cross-off, with energy building to 1102. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers. A nice little pulse.

Friday the 17th sees another big spike: 7ft WSW, 16 seconds, clean cross-off, with energy at 3485. Good waves for the experienced. But Friday arvo is a monster again – 16ft WSW, 15 seconds, energy 13192 – too big for the bar, more a kite session. Saturday the 18th is also huge, 15ft SW, strong energy. Keep the big boards at home.

Sunday the 19th drops to 8ft, but winds become onshore and the forecast goes marginal. The window's closin'.

Overall, the standout sessions are Sunday the 12th and Monday the 13th – clean, solid groundswell with offshore or clean cross-off winds. Sunday the 12th, in particular, with that offshore breeze and 7ft groundswell, is about as good as it gets at The Bar.

Rusty.

Read more