Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a good look at what’s on the table for Hickory Bay over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, with some real highs and some absolute no-go’s, so you’ll need to pick your moments.

The pattern starts off quiet and a bit messy. Saturday morning the 5th has a small 4ft swell from the SSW with 12 seconds of period, and the water is sitting at a nice 51°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The energy is moderate (497). It’s ridable, but nothing to write home about. That afternoon, forget it – the wind gets up, the swell drops, and it’s a write-off. Sunday the 6th is a bit of a tease; a super long-period 17-second groundswell rolls in, but it’s small, just 2ft, and the onshore wind crumbles the surface. That long period also means it’s going to be a bit fat and straight on a beach break like Hickory Bay, which is a shame.

We get a few clean windows from Monday afternoon through to Wednesday morning on the 9th. Nothing big, just 3ft to 4ft waves with manageable cross-off and offshore winds. Not a standout, but a solid option for a beginner looking for a mellow session with clean conditions.

Now, the first real standout arrives on Friday the 11th. That morning is a beauty. Solid 3ft of groundswell from the south with a very long 19-second period, packing a strong wave energy of (1027). The wind is a moderate offshore from the north. This is one for the experienced crew – that long period is going to wrap into the bay and offer some real push. The crowd factor is there; it’s a popular spot, so you might have some company, but it will be worth it for those clean runners.

The swell goes absolutely mental from the 12th through the 13th. We’re talking 10ft to 13ft plus with insane energy readings (3937 to 4278). Don’t even think about it unless you are a top-tier charger with a big-wave gun, and even then, the onshore winds on the 12th are making it a lumpy mess. The 12th afternoon and 14th afternoon have glassy or offshore wind but with waves over 8ft, it’s expert territory only.

That brings us to our second standout. Monday the 14th morning: 6ft of clean southerly swell with a 15-second period and light offshore wind. This is the sweet spot – solid size for a good paddle, clean face, and a lot of energy (1463). For the confident intermediate and above, this is the session to circle. Tuesday the 15th keeps the quality rolling with 5ft to 5ft surf and clean offshore breezes.

After that, things get small again. The rest of the third week is a mix of tiny, underpowered slop and some bigger, windy, messy days. There is a late pulse on the 17th and 18th, but the 18th brings 10ft to 12ft waves with strong cross-off winds – again, too big for most, and a better fit for the kite crew than a paddler. The 19th and 20th offer some rideable 5ft to 6ft surf, but the onshore flow makes it a choppy affair.

Bottom line: For clean, manageable waves, target the 11th morning and the 14th morning. The 15th is also solid. Everything else in the first week is small or messy, and the second week is either too big for a regular session or too sloppy to be excited about.

- Rusty

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