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.

October at Piha delivers consistent surf with an average swell height of 2.1m and a solid 13.2s period, favoring powerful, well-formed waves. The dominant swell direction is WSW, contributing the majority of rideable waves (over 20% in the 1.5-2m range and 17% in the 2-2.5m range), though SW and W swells also provide energy. Smaller swells (0.5-1.5m) occur but are less frequent, while larger swells (over 2.5m) are rare but possible. Wind conditions are less ideal, with only 17% of days offering favorable offshore or light winds for surfing. Stronger onshore winds (10-30kph) from SW to W prevail, which can create bumpy conditions. Surfers should monitor forecasts for cleaner windows, as the swell quality is strong but wind interference is common. Overall, October is a decent month for experienced surfers seeking punchy beachbreak waves, particularly on days with lighter winds.