Surfing Piha, New Zealand : A Guide to The Best Waves Near Auckland
Summary
Piha, located on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island is still somewhat of a hidden gem in the surfing world. With direct exposure to consistent swells from the Tasman Sea, this region offers excellent surfing conditions all year round.
While Raglan often steals the spotlight as New Zealand’s premier surf destination, Piha Beach stands out as a must-visit spot, especially for those looking for raw natural beauty, black sand beaches, and powerful waves just a stone’s throw from Auckland.
Located only 45 minutes west of Auckland, Piha is a beloved coastal escape for locals and visitors alike. This rugged beach town is famous for its iconic Lion Rock, wild surf, and dramatic scenery.
The surfing at Piha is world-class. The wide, open beach break produces lefts and rights, offering waves suitable for both beginners (on smaller days) and experienced surfers when the swell picks up. Piha can hold solid size, but surfers should always be mindful of the strong rips and shifting sandbanks.
The best time to surf Piha is probably during autumn although there is very consistent swell all year long.
Waves are smaller during the summer months from December to March which is more suitable for beginners. Weather will also be warmer over this period of time.
Advanced surfers looking for bigger waves will want to aim for April to August, when the swell picks up in size for winter and winds remain not so strong.
| January-February | March-April | May-June | July-August | September-October | November-December | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable for: | All surfers | All surfers | Intermediate Advanced | Intermediate Advanced | Intermediate Advanced | All surfers |
| Air temperature | 21°C 70°F | 18°C 64°F | 14°C 57°F | 12°C 54°F | 12°C 54°F | 18°C 64°F |
| Water temperature | 20°C 68°F | 19°C 66°F | 17°C 63°F | 15°C 59°F | 15°C 59°F | 17°C 63°F |
| Crowd | Fairly crowded | Fairly crowded | Few people | Few people | Few people | Fairly crowded |
| Swell Consistency | 80% | 85% | 85% | 90% | 90% | 85% |
| Swell height | 6 ft | 6 ft | 8 ft | 8 ft | 8 ft | 7 ft |
Piha is approximately 45 minutes from Auckland by car. The easiest and most flexible option is to rent a car or campervan, especially if you plan to explore nearby beaches like Bethells or Karekare.
From Auckland International Airport:
Head west via State Highway 16, then follow Piha Road through the scenic Waitakere Ranges. Public transport options are limited.
Piha beach
A classic beach break with fairly strong currents to be aware of. Both beginners and experts can find their days on this beach right by Lion Rock.
- Wave direction : Left and right
- Bottom : Sand
- Best tide : Any
- Skill level : Any
- Optimal swell direction : SW
- Optimal wind direction : E