Piha - surf spot statistics

Piha, New Zealand, is a powerful, exposed beach break that receives consistent swell year-round, with ground swell dominating over wind swell in all months. The best time to surf here is during the autumn and winter months (March to August), when swell energy is strong and consistent, with mean swell sizes peaking around 2.1m from May to October. However, wind conditions are generally less favorable during this period, with bad wind days occurring over 70% of the time, particularly from August to November when unfavorable winds exceed 80%. The shoulder seasons (February to April) offer a slightly better balance, with decent swell size (1.5m to 1.8m) and marginally improved wind conditions—around 30% good wind days in February to March. Summer (December to January) brings smaller swells (1.6m mean) and higher wind swell influence, though ground swell still dominates. While summer has the least frequent bad wind days (around 76% in January), it’s still not ideal due to inconsistent winds and smaller waves. Advanced surfers will prioritize the larger, cleaner swells of autumn and early winter, while intermediates may find late summer and early autumn more manageable despite the still-challenging wind patterns. Overall, March stands out as a strong month with a high percentage of ground swell (91%), manageable mean size (1.7m), and slightly better wind odds (31% good days) compared to deeper winter.

December at Piha offers solid surf conditions with an average swell height of 1.6m and a favorable wave period of 12.2s, producing well-organized, powerful waves. The swell is predominantly from the WSW (29.25% of waves in the 1-1.5m range, 20.18% in 1.5-2m), providing consistent, rideable surf with occasional larger sets (10.63% in 2-2.5m). While smaller swells from SW and W directions also contribute, the WSW energy dominates, ensuring quality waves for intermediate to advanced surfers. Wind conditions are ideal for surfing only 21% of the time, with the best chances occurring when winds are light (0-20kph) and offshore or cross-shore. The most problematic winds come from the NE, ENE, and E, which can create choppy conditions, while SW and WSW winds—though more common—vary between sideshore and onshore, potentially affecting wave quality. Overall, December delivers reliable surf with good size and power, but wind conditions will be the limiting factor, requiring selective timing for optimal sessions.