Surf Forecasts:
Piha-The Bar surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 8,334 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 8s. 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Mon 31st 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 break down the upcoming surf for Piha-The-Bar. It's a bit of a mixed bag, so let's get into it.
The water temperature is 57°F, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
The next few days are going to be a real test of patience. Thursday morning kicks off with a 7ft WSW swell, but it's a messy cross-on wind and the energy is only moderate (1497). It's a tough start. The real standout pops up on Thursday afternoon – the wind goes completely glassy, dropping to zero, and we get a clean 7ft swell from the WSW. The energy is solid (1400), and the conditions are set for excellent surf for experienced surfers. That's your window to get a few clean ones.
Friday is a write-off with a drop in swell and onshore winds, so don't bother. Saturday morning offers a glimmer of hope with a 3ft WSW swell and clean conditions, but the energy is weak (514).
Then things get serious. From Sunday the 30th through to the 10th of September, the swell pumps up, but it's a battle with the wind. Sunday sees an 8ft SW swell, but it's a short period (8 seconds) and a strong cross-offshore wind makes it lumpy. The energy is moderate (1453), but it's not a great session.
Monday the 31st is a monster – a 15ft SW swell with very strong energy (6952) – but the wind is howling. This is too big for paddle surfing; it's more of a kite-surfing setup. The wind stays strong with big swells through the rest of the week, mostly with poor conditions.
The next real standout shows up on Tuesday the 8th of September. We get a 13ft W swell with glassy conditions in the morning. The energy is very strong (4358), and the wind is calm. This is a massive, powerful groundswell with a 12-second period, which is best for this break. It's an excellent session for experienced surfers, but be ready for the size.
The tail end of the forecast, from the 9th onwards, keeps the big swells rolling but the wind stays on it, keeping things messy.
So, the best on offer is Thursday afternoon for the clean, glassy conditions, and then Tuesday the 8th of September morning for the big, powerful, glassy groundswell. Keep an eye on that one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Mon night, light winds from the W by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 16 | SW 13 | SW 14 | WSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1497 | 1289 | 980 | 469 | 419 | 362 | 346 | 370 | 423 | 842 | 1145 | 7081 | 6952 | 8200 | 7838 | 7043 | 6131 | 4619 | 3380 | 2977 | 2904 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 9:17PM2.74m | 9:34AM2.65m | 9:51PM2.85m | 10:08AM2.74m | 10:24PM2.91m | 10:43AM2.80m | 10:58PM2.93m | 11:18AM2.81m | 11:33PM2.88m | 11:56AM2.77m | 00:11AM2.79m | 12:37PM2.69m | 00:54AM2.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:03PM0.33m | 3:28AM0.27m | 3:38PM0.21m | 4:03AM0.15m | 4:14PM0.14m | 4:37AM0.08m | 4:49PM0.11m | 5:12AM0.06m | 5:27PM0.14m | 5:50AM0.09m | 6:07PM0.22m | 6:30AM0.19m | 6:51PM0.34m | ||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 11 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | — | — | — | SW 24 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
1497 | 1289 | 980 | 431 | 197 | 255 | 346 | 370 | 423 | 609 | 751 | 1257 | — | — | — | 22 | 6131 | 4619 | 3380 | 2977 | 2904 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 20 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 22 | WSW 20 | SW 18 | — |
— | 111 | 103 | 469 | 419 | 362 | 117 | 163 | 336 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 91 | 253 | 711 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 24 | WSW 22 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 11 | 50 | 51 | 71 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 3 | NE 3 | — | — | SW 7 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 16 | SW 13 | SW 14 | WSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 13 | 10 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 337 | 842 | 1145 | 7081 | 6952 | 8200 | 7838 | 7043 | 5212 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 101 | 0 | 1 | 339 | 337 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 105 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 127 | 85 | 146 |
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.











