Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Hickory Bay.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a wait. The first real chance to get wet isn’t until Monday the 24th of August, and even then, it’s a tricky one. The swell is pushing 7 ft from the SSW with a 12-second period, which is a lot of juice for a beginner spot. The combined energy is a solid 1499 (moderate), and while the wind is a clean offshore from the NNW, that swell size is just too big for the break. It’s a bit of a tease.

Monday afternoon settles down a touch with 6 ft from the SSW (12-second period, 911 energy), and the wind stays light offshore. It’s clean, but the size is still pushing the limit for the beginners who usually love this place.

Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th are a bit of a write-off. The wind switches to a cross-off or cross-shore, and the swell drops to 4 ft to 4 ft, but the period is long (14-15 seconds). The energy is moderate (584-959), but the conditions are just “marginal.” Not worth getting excited about.

Now, Thursday the 27th of August gets interesting, but not for the faint of heart. We’re looking at a 7 ft S swell with a 17-second period and a massive 2445 energy reading (strong). The wind is a clean offshore from the ENE, but that swell is way too big for this break. This is expert-only territory, and with the long period, the sets will be powerful and widely spaced. Not ideal for the Bay.

Friday the 28th is a similar story. A 8 ft NE windswell (8-second period, 1066 energy) with a clean offshore N wind. Again, too big for the spot, but the morning session might have some clean, punchy waves if you’re a confident surfer.

The Standout: Honestly, the best bet in this whole outlook is a two-day stretch starting Monday the 31st of August. Monday morning brings 6 ft from the SSW with a 14-second period (1092 energy) and light cross-off wind. The rating is “excellent for experienced surfers.” Monday afternoon gets even better: 6 ft from the SSW, 15-second period, 1409 energy, and a gentle offshore from the NNW. The conditions are described as “excellent.” Then, Tuesday the 1st of September morning is a total gem: a glassy 6 ft SSW swell, 14-second period, 1053 energy. Glassy! That’s the pick of the forecast. The energy is strong, the period is long, and the wind is perfect. The only downside is that this spot is “fairly consistent” and can get crowded “sometimes,” so get in early.

After that, it goes a bit wild. Tuesday afternoon the 1st of September sees a massive 10 ft S groundswell with a 19-second period and a whopping 8505 energy (very strong). The wind is light and cross-off, but that swell is an absolute monster – expert only, and even then, it’s a beast. The energy readings hit 4595 and 5962 on the 3rd and 4th of September, with 12 ft to 18 ft swells. These are huge, powerful, and dangerous. The wind is offshore, but the size is just comical for a beginner-friendly spot. It’s a kite-surfing paradise for a few days there.

The last week of the forecast, from the 7th of September, drops right back off. We’re looking at a clean 3 ft SSW groundswell with a 17-second period (712 energy) on the Monday, but it’s small and weak. The wind stays offshore, making for a clean, cruisy session, but don’t expect much power.

So, to sum it up: the first few days are a wash or too big. The real window is the 31st of August through the 1st of September. After that, you’re either dodging monsters or surfing tiny, clean leftovers. Keep an eye on the forecasts, but that Monday/Tuesday window is the one to circle.

Rusty.

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