Surf Forecasts:
Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with 3,857 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period with S 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s is also forecast. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s check out what’s brewing for Banks Peninsula. It’s quiet at the start, but a couple of proper sessions are waiting if you’re willing to be patient.
Right now, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. The first real chance comes on Saturday the 29th of August, but it’s pretty average. A small 3ft swell from the S at 10 seconds, with a cross-shore breeze kicking up a few ripples. Water temp is 51°, a touch warmer than usual for this time of year. Not much to write home about.
Sunday the 30th looks a bit better. Morning brings a clean 3ft SSW swell at 12 seconds with a cross-off breeze—small but rideable. The afternoon has light rain and a cross-on wind with a 4ft SSW swell at a very long 16 seconds. That long period groundswell can be tricky at a beach break, but there’s moderate energy (607). A bit marginal.
Monday the 31st is where it gets serious. The swell jumps to 8ft in the morning and 8ft in the afternoon, both from the SSW with periods of 11-12 seconds. Wind is favorable—cross-off in the morning and offshore in the afternoon—so it’ll be clean. But this is a beginner-friendly spot, and over 8ft is expert territory. The energy is strong (1891 in the morning). Standout for the brave.
Tuesday the 1st of September is blown out. Rain and onshore wind with a lumpy 12ft swell. Forget it.
The next real standout is Thursday the 3rd of September. Morning brings a nice 5ft S swell at 12 seconds, a light cross-off breeze, and very good conditions. Energy is moderate (542). This is the best session of the first week. Afternoon’s okay too, but the wind picks up.
Friday the 4th is a washout with onshore wind and a messy 6ft swell.
Saturday the 5th of September offers a clean 4ft SSW groundswell at 14 seconds with a cross-off breeze. Very good conditions. Energy is moderate (793). A solid weekend session.
Sunday the 6th is no good. Monday the 7th has a 7ft SSW swell in the morning with light cross-off and very good conditions, but it’s getting big for this break. The afternoon is offshore but gusty.
A dry spell follows until Thursday the 10th of September. Thursday morning is a gem: 3ft SSW swell at 16 seconds, a gentle offshore wind, and very good surf. This is the other standout—clean, glassy, and long period. Crowds are possible, so get in early.
Friday the 11th is messy with a short-period 8ft swell and onshore wind. Saturday the 12th has glassy conditions in the morning with a 7ft S swell at 12 seconds—big but glassy. That’s for experts only. Energy is strong (1591).
Sunday the 13th sees a massive 10ft S groundswell at 18 seconds, glassy in the afternoon, but far too big for this break. Energy is extreme (4831). Leave it.
So, to sum it up: the best and most accessible sessions for the average surfer are Thursday morning the 3rd of September and Thursday morning the 10th of September. Both offer clean, manageable swell with good wind. The bigger days on the 31st of August and the 7th of September are for the experienced only. A slow start, but worth waiting for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, strong winds from the SW by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Tue morning, light winds from the NW by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | NE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 9 | SSW 5 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 164 | 75 | 143 | 245 | 582 | 1859 | 1886 | 1659 | 1942 | 2522 | 2767 | 2525 | 1570 | 3162 | 1104 | 537 | 326 | 139 | 126 | 801 | 293 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | off |
High Tide | 4:39PM1.81m | 4:57AM1.74m | 5:20PM1.79m | 5:41AM1.75m | 6:04PM1.77m | 6:28AM1.76m | 6:51PM1.74m | 7:19AM1.76m | 7:44PM1.71m | 8:16AM1.77m | 8:41PM1.69m | 9:17AM1.80m | 9:43PM1.69m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:25AM0.24m | 10:53PM0.28m | 11:10AM0.24m | 11:37PM0.27m | 11:57AM0.26m | 00:23AM0.28m | 12:48PM0.29m | 1:12AM0.29m | 1:42PM0.32m | 2:05AM0.29m | 2:39PM0.33m | 3:01AM0.29m | 3:39PM0.33m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | |
 | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 6 | 2 | — | — | 8 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 11 | -2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | -1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | NE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | SSW 8 |
| kJ | 99 | 75 | 101 | 245 | 582 | 9 | 1886 | 1659 | 13 | 12 | 4 | 2525 | 1570 | 3162 | 1104 | 537 | 326 | 139 | 58 | 45 | 293 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 11 | NE 7 | N 5 | SE 12 | NNE 7 | NNE 10 | NNW 5 | S 22 | — | NE 9 | S 16 | ENE 10 | NE 10 | N 5 | SE 11 | SSW 15 | SE 12 | SSW 15 | SE 16 |
| kJ | 164 | 71 | 143 | 26 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 18 | 2 | 9 | — | 3 | 1269 | 10 | 4 | 57 | 5 | 21 | 5 | 72 | 40 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SSE 10 | ESE 12 | NE 7 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 13 | — | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | NE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 29 | 39 | 31 | 14 | 25 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | N 4 | W 3 | N 4 | — | SSW 9 | — | — | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | — | NNE 10 | N 4 | N 5 | NW 5 | N 5 | N 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 8 | N 3 |
| kJ | 4 | 3 | 4 | 10 | — | 1859 | — | — | 1942 | 2522 | 2767 | — | 20 | 36 | 104 | 22 | 69 | 74 | 126 | 801 | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 63 | 3 | 3 | 193 | 163 | 163 | 30 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 145 | 13 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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