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.

In February, Piha offers consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.5m and a solid period of 12.7s, producing well-organized waves. The dominant swell direction is from the WSW (32.1% of waves in the 1-1.5m range, and 19.1% in the 1.5-2m range), which aligns favorably with the beach's exposure, providing quality rides. SW swells also contribute significantly, particularly in the 1-1.5m range (5.1%). Smaller contributions come from other directions, but WSW and SW are the primary drivers of surfable conditions. Wind conditions are ideal for surfing 32% of the time, with the most favorable winds being light offshore or cross-shore, primarily from the NE to E quadrants (lower speeds under 20kph). However, stronger onshore winds (SSW to WSW, 10-30kph) can occasionally disrupt surface quality. Overall, February at Piha delivers reliable, mid-sized surf with good power, best when winds are light or favorable. Advanced surfers will find the most potential, especially during WSW swells with NE winds.