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.

September at Piha offers solid surf conditions with a dominant swell averaging 2.1m and a robust 13.6s period, ensuring powerful, well-formed waves. The majority of swells come from the WSW direction (55-60% of waves in the 1.5-2.5m range), delivering consistent, quality rides with good energy and shape, particularly for intermediate to advanced surfers. Smaller swells from the SW and W also contribute, but WSW is the primary direction for the best waves. Wind conditions are less ideal, with only 19% of days providing favorable offshore or light cross-shore winds (typically ENE to ESE). Stronger onshore winds, particularly from the W/SW quadrant (20-30kph+), can spoil conditions on many days. If the wind aligns, September can produce excellent surf, but patience or dawn sessions may be needed to score clean conditions. The combination of consistent WSW swells and occasional clean wind windows makes it a worthwhile month for surfers comfortable with bigger, more powerful waves.