
Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (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 ForecastMostly 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 SummaryLight 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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
488 | 390 | 186 | 100 | 490 | 817 | 1087 | 506 | 297 | 230 | 109 | 96 | 102 | 399 | 350 | 316 | 397 | 558 | 565 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | |||||||
— | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | ESE 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
488 | 390 | 186 | 100 | 33 | 35 | 16 | 16 | 297 | 230 | 109 | 96 | 82 | 94 | 350 | 316 | 397 | 558 | 565 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SSW 13 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 15 | S 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 17 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
92 | 16 | 43 | 18 | 19 | 8 | 31 | 51 | 23 | 49 | 58 | 71 | 37 | 399 | 29 | 35 | 70 | 101 | 181 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | S 19 | SSW 12 | S 10 | S 21 | S 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | ESE 13 | ESE 7 | NE 6 | E 9 | E 8 | SE 6 |
35 | 30 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 20 | 19 | 57 | 50 | 43 | 44 | 102 | 17 | 18 | 10 | 14 | 32 | 35 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — | WSW 4 | S 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | — |
— | — | 2 | 131 | 490 | 817 | 1087 | 506 | — | — | 6 | 4 | — | 1 | 62 | 171 | 139 | 83 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 76 | 216 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 145 | 35 | 5 | 5 | 13 |
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.
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.











