About This Spot
North Piha, New Zealand is one of the world's premier wind-sports destinations, located in New Zealand.
Situated in Oceania, the spot offers Medium waves and Big waves water conditions, making it ideal for experienced riders pushing their limits.
With W winds, peaking from September to November, North Piha, New Zealand delivers the kind of sessions that keep riders coming back year after year.
Why Riders Love It
Best time of year is spring with consistent westerly quarter winds. Due to mountains behind beach it's less windy here than other west coast spots (eg Muriwai) so is really suited to the 30+ knots that can occur during winter and spring. Summer here is hot with light winds at this spot. Autumn has the odd good day. 20 knots during winter and spring. Windier the further out you head. Spring is best season. Summer thermals are light compared to Huia, Fosters etc but still ok. Winter is a great time to kite here as well. Autumn has mostly light winds (15-20 knots in other AK spots) but here it'll be more like 10-15. It's a place for the days where it's too windy anywhere else in Auckland. Sideshore NNW and SSE.
When to Go
Water temp is pretty cold, 12°C in winter and 20°C in summer. Air temps here can soar above 30°C in summer and it's best not to kite here during this time as it will be packed.
What to Expect
A surf beach that is best at low tide. During winter and spring the swells are big. Summer brings small waves of about head high, occasional bigger day. Winter and spring waves can be as high as a house on occasions. The rip currents are not that nasty although care must be taken of course when swell is big.
Wind & Conditions
W
Best wind direction
Best time of year is spring with consistent westerly quarter winds. Due to mountains behind beach it's less windy here than other west coast spots (eg Muriwai) so is really suited to the 30+ knots that can occur during winter and spring. Summer here is hot with light winds at this spot. Autumn has the odd good day. 20 knots during winter and spring. Windier the further out you head. Spring is best season. Summer thermals are light compared to Huia, Fosters etc but still ok. Winter is a great time to kite here as well. Autumn has mostly light winds (15-20 knots in other AK spots) but here it'll be more like 10-15. It's a place for the days where it's too windy anywhere else in Auckland. Sideshore NNW and SSE.
Best Months
Water Conditions
A surf beach that is best at low tide. During winter and spring the swells are big. Summer brings small waves of about head high, occasional bigger day. Winter and spring waves can be as high as a house on occasions. The rip currents are not that nasty although care must be taken of course when swell is big.
Check Conditions
Live Wind Forecast at North Piha, New Zealand
Check real-time wind conditions before you head out.
Facilities & Access
📍 Getting There
🚶Short walk to the beach
Get the map out and head to Henderson, then head over the Waitaks, drive down the steep road, smell the burnin brakes, past the turnoff to South Piha and head to north where hopefully you'll see the misty spray caused by the surf/wind.
Location
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