Piha
Piha, Auckland (West Coast), New Zealand
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: April–October
Piha is a black-sand beach on Auckland's wild west coast, about 40 minutes' drive from the city through the Waitākere Ranges. Lion Rock splits the beach into North and South Piha, and the sandbars along both sides pick up almost every Tasman Sea swell, giving punchy beach-break peaks. Easterly winds blow offshore, and autumn and winter bring the most reliable groundswell.
The beach is known for strong rip currents, and many rescues happen here every summer, so surf between the flags in the patrol season or stay close to the lifeguards. Bigger swells make the waves heavy and suit experienced surfers, while small days are fine for intermediates. The road over the ranges is steep and winding, and the village has a café, a store and a surf club.
Month by month at Piha
- January: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 21°C, air 23°C (nights 17°C), 27 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- February: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 21°C, air 23°C (nights 17°C), 26 sunny days, 14 rainy days
- March: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 20°C, air 21°C (nights 16°C), 29 sunny days, 13 rainy days
- April: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 19°C, air 20°C (nights 15°C), 24 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- May: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 2.1 m, water 17°C, air 18°C (nights 12°C), 25 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- June: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2 m, water 16°C, air 16°C (nights 11°C), 24 sunny days, 18 rainy days
- July: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2.2 m, water 15°C, air 15°C (nights 10°C), 24 sunny days, 16 rainy days
- August: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 2 m, water 14°C, air 15°C (nights 9°C), 26 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- September: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2.4 m, water 15°C, air 16°C (nights 11°C), 25 sunny days, 20 rainy days
- October: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2.1 m, water 16°C, air 17°C (nights 12°C), 26 sunny days, 20 rainy days
- November: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 18°C, air 19°C (nights 14°C), 26 sunny days, 19 rainy days
- December: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 20°C, air 21°C (nights 16°C), 27 sunny days, 19 rainy days
When is the best time to go surfing at Piha?
April–October, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Piha?
14°C to 21°C over the year: a 3/2 full suit in the warmest month, a 5/4 with boots in the coolest.
How windy is Piha?
About 72 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in July.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Piha
- Muriwai (14 km)
- Auckland – Waitematā Harbour (29 km)
- Lake Pupuke (33 km)
- Orewa (46 km)
- Raglan – Manu Bay (101 km)
- Whangamatā Bar (129 km)
- Kulim Park (169 km)
- Mount Maunganui – Main Beach (170 km)
More: All spots in New Zealand · Surfing in New Zealand
Compare with: Piha vs Raglan – Manu Bay · Muriwai vs Piha