Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.78° S 173.12° E

Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 10 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay sea temperature is
9.9° C
0.9° 

Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 7s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, NE swell with 1,248 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period with SE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay in the next 16 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 11th Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 8s
Best Surf 9AM (Wed 12th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 7s
Most Powerful 9PM (Wed 12th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's chew the fat on Hickory Bay for the next couple of weeks.

First thing's first, there's a bit of a flat spell until Tuesday, August 11th. But when it kicks off, it kicks off proper. That Tuesday morning, we've got a clean 6ft SE groundswell, period around 8 seconds, with a glassy SSE breeze. The energy's there, a solid 436, and it's just begging for a log. That's the standout of the early week, no doubt. Water temp is pretty average for this time of year, nothing special.

Tuesday afternoon stays clean, with the swell droppin' to 4ft and a light NNE cross-off breeze. Good, easy fun.

Wednesday the 12th gets a bit wild. The swell jumps to 8ft from the NE, but the period drops to 7 seconds. It's gonna be a big, lumpy mess, especially with a strong 35 km/h NE wind. This one's for the brave or the kite crew. Wednesday afternoon is even bigger, 10ft NE swell, but same story – too big and wind-affected.

Thursday the 13th morning shows a 7ft ENE swell with an offshore N wind at 20 km/h, which is promising, but the height is still pushing the limits for a beginner spot. Thursday afternoon settles back into the sweet spot – 6ft ENE swell, 7 second period, and a glassy NE breeze. Clean lines again.

Friday the 14th is a mixed bag. Morning's a write-off with cross-onshore wind. But Friday afternoon? Glassy as a mirror, with a tiny 3ft ENE swell. Small, but clean and fun for a mess-about.

Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th are a dead loss. Strong onshore winds and a weird, long-period SSW swell that's just going to be bumpy. The energy is high (511-774), but it's all noise.

The second week is a lottery. We see a big pulse of SSW swell on the 18th and 19th, but it's got strong onshore winds. Big, dangerous, and ugly – expert-only, and it looks more like a kitesurfing day.

Now, here's a gem. After that mess clears, Friday the 21st of August looks like a proper treat. A clean 6ft S groundswell, a solid 12-second period, and glassy conditions in the afternoon. Energy is a healthy 982, and with a light offshore wind in the morning, the whole day is a winner. That's the second standout – a real late-season gift if it holds.

Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are back to being too big for comfort, with 8ft and 8ft swells. Glassy conditions, but a lot of water moving for a beginner spot.

The final push comes on Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th. Monday morning gives us a clean 5ft SSE groundswell with a 12-second period and a moderate offshore NNE breeze. That's a solid, surfable day. Tuesday is smaller, with a 3ft SSE swell, but it stays clean and fun.

So, bottom line: the absolute best is Tuesday the 11th morning. Then keep an eye on Friday the 21st as a long-range promise. Everything else is either too big, too windy, or too small. Stay stoked.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the NE by Tue night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 6°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
2
0
!
!
!
!
2
1
0
2
2
0
0
0
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
SSE
8
1.7
SE
8
1.3
SE
8
1.1
SE
7
2.4
NE
7
3
NE
7
3
NE
8
2.1
ENE
8
1.7
ENE
7
1.5
ENE
7
1.1
NE
7
0.9
ENE
7
0.4
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
15
1.2
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
488
390
186
100
490
817
1087
506
297
230
109
96
102
399
350
316
397
558
565
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
5
SSE
10
NNE
30
NE
35
NE
30
NNE
25
NNE
20
N
5
NE
5
SSW
10
SW
5
NE
0
W
20
SSW
25
S
25
S
15
SSW
15
SSW
20
SW
Wind State
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
1:52AM1.89m
2:26PM2.09m
2:46AM1.95m
3:19PM2.12m
3:39AM1.98m
4:10PM2.12m
4:32AM1.98m
5:01PM2.07m
5:24AM1.95m
5:52PM2.00m
6:17AM1.90m
6:43PM1.91m
Low Tide
8:03AM0.03m
8:41PM0.11m
8:59AM-0.02m
9:35PM0.07m
9:53AM-0.04m
10:28PM0.05m
10:47AM-0.02m
11:20PM0.05m
11:40AM0.03m
00:11AM0.09m
12:34PM0.11m
1:03AM0.15m
part cloud
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part cloud
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part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:22
7:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:42
 mm
1
1
3
Temp °C
8
9
9
10
10
10
10
14
14
12
13
12
10
10
8
7
7
7
7
Feels °C
4
7
6
4
4
4
4
12
12
11
12
11
8
6
2
1
2
2
2
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Are you planning a holiday in Canterbury? If you are looking for accommodation near Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Canterbury, consider staying in Christchurch which is 44 km (27 miles) away.

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