Piha-The Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° S 174.47° E

Piha-The Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Piha-The Bar sea temperature is
14.5°C
0.3° 

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 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 17s period, WSW swell with 14,143 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 18s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 18s period. 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 5.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Fri 11th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 18s
Best Surf 3PM (Fri 11th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 18s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sat 12th Sep)16ft (5.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a good look at what’s coming down the pipe for Piha. This is a stretch that’s got some serious muscle, but you’re gonna have to pick your moments carefully. The water temp is sitting around 58°F, which is pretty much what we’d expect for this time of year, nothing wild going on there.

We’re starting off with a big blast of energy. Friday the 11th sees a solid 15ft SW groundswell with a long 19 second period. The combined energy is massive at 13885 (moderate to strong), and the wind is a fresh cross-off from the south at 19 mph, which will keep things clean. The setup is all there, but honestly, this is one for the experienced crew only.
That swell size is too much for the average punter. It’s a powerful, grinding beast, and the long period means it’ll be roaring through with big gaps between sets. This is a true expert zone.

Saturday the 12th still has size with a 8ft to 12ft WSW swell, but the energy has dropped a notch. The cross-off wind hangs on, but the quality is a bit more marginal, with some lumpy cross-chop creeping in.

Sunday the 13th ramps back up with another 13ft to 15ft SW swell. The energy is strong again (10131), but the wind swings cross, creating a lumpy, tricky surface. It’s still big, still for experts only, but the chop makes it less appealing.

Monday the 14th to Tuesday the 15th the swell slowly backs off from 12ft down to 8ft, but the cross-shore wind keeps things messy. The energy drops from moderate to lower numbers, and the scores reflect that it’s not the best window.

Wednesday the 16th is a write-off. The swell drops to 4ft to 4ft, the wind turns onshore, and the combined energy is weak (629 to 717). Poor conditions, no point suiting up.

Thursday the 17th shows a bit of a revival. A 12ft WSW swell rolls in with 14 seconds of period, and the wind turns cross-off again at 9 mph. The combined energy is a moderate 4541. The water cleans right up, making this a solid option for experienced surfers after the mid-week lull.

Now, Friday the 18th to Saturday the 19th we get another big pulse. Swell sits at 13ft to 15ft from the WSW and SW, with strong energy values of 7568 to 11180. The wind is fresh cross-off and cross, so conditions are clean but the size is again monstrous. This is expert territory once more.

Sunday the 20th through Monday the 21st is back to poor form. The swell is still 10ft to 12ft, but the onshore wind is strong and the wave state is lumpy and messy. Not good.

Tuesday the 22nd throws up a massive 16ft WSW swell. The combined energy spikes to 17259 (very strong). Even though the wind is moderate, the sheer size makes this one for the absolute elite only.

We get a slight ease on Wednesday the 23rd with 8ft to 12ft WSW swell, but the wind is cross to cross-on and the energy is moderate to low.

Now, the standout window is from Thursday the 24th through Friday the 25th. On Thursday the 24th we’ve got a 18ft to 20ft WSW swell, but here’s the kicker: the wind goes light offshore from the ESE at just 3 mph. Combined energies are 11215 to 11780. Glassy, clean, and huge. This is the kind of day that makes Piha famous, but only for the hardcore. Then on Friday the 25th afternoon, the swell drops to a more manageable 13ft, the wind is a light cross-off from the SSW at 6 mph, and conditions are described as exceptional for experts. The energy is still high at 9436.

Saturday the 26th brings the last of the action with a 7ft to 8ft WSW swell. The wind stays light and cross-off in the morning, making for some clean, fun-sized waves for experienced surfers, though the energy is lower now at 1723 to 2444.

So if you’re an expert, the absolute pick of the 16-day window is Thursday the 24th and the afternoon of Friday the 25th. Those are the days when the big SW groundswell meets glassy to light offshore winds. The long period (13-14 seconds) means the sets will be fat and powerful. For the more experienced surfer looking for a cleaner window without the terrifying size, Thursday the 17th is a solid call with clean, cross-off conditions on a 12ft swell. The crowds at Piha can be an issue, so be prepared to share the peak on these good days.

Signing off, Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Fri night, light winds from the SW by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
0
!
!
!
!
6
5
5
4
4
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4.5
SW
19
4.5
SW
18
4.5
WSW
17
4.5
SW
11
4.5
SW
16
4.5
SW
16
4.5
SW
16
4
SW
17
3.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
16
3
SW
15
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.4
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
2
WSW
12
1.7
WSW
12
2.4
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
13398
12992
13209
4005
11153
10009
10400
9623
6947
5268
4698
3192
2633
2265
1470
946
563
546
1106
770
2171
Wind (km/h)
30
S
30
SSW
35
SW
35
SSW
30
SW
25
SW
30
SW
25
SW
20
SW
20
SW
25
SSW
15
SW
15
SW
15
SW
10
WSW
10
WNW
15
W
5
NNW
10
NNE
10
NW
10
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
High Tide
9:22AM2.85m
9:40PM3.03m
10:01AM2.92m
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
Low Tide
3:29PM0.02m
3:55AM-0.05m
4:10PM-0.01m
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
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:22
6:20
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:08
6:09
6:09
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
 mm
1
1
1
1
1
2
Temp °C
12
13
13
13
13
12
14
14
13
13
13
13
14
14
13
13
13
12
16
16
14
Feels °C
6
6
7
5
6
6
8
9
8
9
9
9
10
11
11
10
10
10
13
13
13
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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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