
Surf Forecasts:
Piha-The Bar surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 21s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 21s period, WSW swell with 25,405 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 22s. 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 5.5m 21s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Piha-The Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, lookin’ at the forecast for Piha. We got some big, powerful south-west groundswells on the docket, but the wind’s gonna throw a wrench in things for most of the next two weeks. The water temp is about normal for this time of year, so no need to dig out that extra thick wetsuit just yet.
The first week is a bit of a letdown. That Friday the 4th is a right mess, with 10ft (3.0m) swell and onshore winds at 19 mph. The energy reading is a chunky 3669, but it’s just blown out slop. Saturday the 5th brings 12ft to 13ft (3.5m to 4.0m) swell from the WSW, but 12 mph cross-shore winds and chop make it lumpy and hard work. You’d be battling the conditions, not surfing the wave.
Now, listen close, because Wednesday the 9th is our one true shot. The swell eases off to a clean 6ft (1.9m) from the WSW, still with some good 12-second period groundswell. The kicker is the wind. It goes glassy, with just a whisper from the east at 3mph. The combined energy is a moderate 1171, meaning there’s enough push for a good ride but not a world-beater. That morning window is golden for a few clean lines at this advanced spot.
After that, it all goes sideways. Thursday the 10th is back to slop, and then Friday the 11th... hold onto your board. We’re looking at a massive 21ft (6.5m) swell from the WSW with a staggering 20-second period and a combined energy of 34549. The forecast says it’s predicted to be too big for the break. That kind of long-period energy is gonna be howling, with 31 mph cross-shore winds. It’s for the true extremists only. That oversized swell sticks around through the weekend and into the next week, with 16ft to 15ft (5.0m to 4.5m) swells, but the wind is relentless and the conditions are poor.
Honestly, the whole 16-day run is mostly a waiting game. The standout is clear and simple: Wednesday, September 9th, early morning at Piha-The Bar. The 6ft (1.9m) WSW swell with the glassed-out conditions is the only time we’ll see any real quality. For the rest of it, it’s a rough and rowdy ocean that’s better off watched from the beach.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | WSW 14 | W 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 21 | WSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2345 | 3669 | 6525 | 5051 | 4822 | 5875 | 5615 | 6450 | 6832 | 4543 | 3963 | 3706 | 2005 | 1877 | 1765 | 1310 | 939 | 288 | 581 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 1:45AM2.47m | 2:21PM2.42m | 2:49AM2.31m | 3:35PM2.32m | 4:12AM2.21m | 5:03PM2.33m | 5:41AM2.24m | 6:22PM2.46m | 6:54AM2.39m | 7:25PM2.65m | 7:52AM2.57m | 8:15PM2.83m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:11AM0.49m | 8:46PM0.64m | 9:18AM0.62m | 10:03PM0.73m | 10:37AM0.66m | 11:26PM0.69m | 11:55AM0.59m | 00:40AM0.54m | 1:02PM0.43m | 1:40AM0.34m | 1:58PM0.25m | 2:30AM0.15m | |||||||
— | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 8 | WSW 19 |
2345 | 3669 | 2503 | 5051 | 4822 | 5875 | 5615 | 6450 | 6832 | 4543 | 3963 | 3706 | 2005 | 1877 | 1765 | 1310 | 939 | 226 | 475 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | WSW 22 | SW 21 | WSW 10 | WNW 8 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 187 | 295 | 247 | 182 | 100 | 47 | 216 | 260 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | S 8 | — | W 11 | NW 8 | WSW 21 | NW 8 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 135 | 33 | — | 21 | 16 | 288 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 7 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | SSW 5 | — | — | — | WSW 11 |
— | — | 6525 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 240 | 515 | — | — | — | 37 | — | — | — | 581 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 325 | 340 | 98 | 73 | 231 | 231 | 363 | 325 | 325 | 325 | 130 | 44 | 44 | 81 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Auckland | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










