Piha - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (February - April)

As autumn settles in, the Tasman Sea comes alive with a steady diet of long-period SW and WSW swells. February through April marks the sweet spot for Piha, with ideal wind conditions—offshore breezes from the NW through WSW—occurring 27-28% of the time. Average swell heights climb from 1.4m to 1.7m, while wave periods hover in the 12-13s range, delivering powerful, lined-up waves that groom the famous Piha peaks to perfection. This is when you can score clean, rippable walls with the occasional pumping session that will have you rethinking your lunch plans.

Fair Surf Season (May - August)

Winter arrives with a punch: average swell heights push to 1.9m and periods remain solid at 12.7-13.0s, thanks to a procession of deep Southern Ocean lows. However, the ideal wind window shrinks to 20-25% as prevailing SW and WSW winds—onshore and destructive—dominate. The western Tasman Sea churns, delivering frequent SW and WSW swell trains that are often accompanied by messy onshore winds. Still, between storm fronts, brief windows of offshore flow (mostly NW to W) can transform Piha into a punchy, hollow playground. It's a game of patience, but the rewards are heavy.

Low Surf Season (September - January)

Spring and early summer bring the most challenging conditions. From September through January, ideal wind percentages bottom out at 15-18%, with persistent onshore SW and WSW winds ruining wave quality more than half the time. Swell heights average 1.5-1.9m, but the energy is often short-period (11.7-12.1s) and wrapped in choppy, wind-affected surfaces. The best chance for a clean session comes when a high-pressure system stalls east of the North Island, allowing offshore easterlies to sneak in. Those rare days, especially in January, can still deliver fun, shoulder-high sets—but you'll need to pick your windows carefully.

January: Summer Sizzle with Occasional Gems

January brings a mellow vibe to Piha, with average swell heights of 1.4m and long periods of 12.0s. Swell direction is overwhelmingly favorable—SW accounts for 54.9% of all energy, followed by WSW at 25.9%, both squarely in the optimal window. The catch? Ideal offshore winds (NW, WNW, W, WSW) blow only 23% of the time. Onshore winds from SW and SSW (16.3% and 13.6% respectively) often degrade the surface, creating bumpy conditions. When a high-pressure system parks over the Tasman, light offshore breezes can groom the SW groundswell into clean, fun-sized waves in the 1-1.5m range. The rip current at the main peak can be strong, so stay alert. This month is best described as 'hit or miss'—but when you hit, the water is warm and the vibe is mellow.