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.

June at Piha offers consistent surf with an average swell height of 2.1m and a solid period of 13.2s, indicating powerful, well-spaced waves. The dominant swell direction is from the WSW, which produces the highest frequency of quality waves—particularly in the 1.5-2.5m range—making it the primary window for surf. Smaller swells from the SW and W also contribute, though less frequently. Wind conditions are optimal for surfing only 22% of the time, with light to moderate winds (0-20kph) from the ENE to SE offering the cleanest faces. However, stronger winds (20-50kph) from the SW to W are more common, often creating bumpy or choppy conditions. Ideal sessions will rely on timing these cleaner wind periods with WSW swell events, which deliver the best size and power. Advanced surfers will find the most opportunities, as the bigger swells (over 2m) are frequent enough to provide challenging but rewarding rides.