Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.78° S 173.12° E

Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 17 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay sea temperature is
10.6° C
1.4° 

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 16 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 23s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 23s period, S swell with 6,921 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period with SSW 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 16s. 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 2.5m 23s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Fri 17th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 15s
Best Surf 6AM (Sat 18th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 23s
Most Powerful 9AM (Sat 18th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 23s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at Hickory Bay (Banks Peninsula). We’ve got a proper run of swell heading our way, but it’s not all smooth sailing.

The pattern starts with a solid pulse of groundswell. Friday morning the 17th sees a 5ft SSW swell rolling in with a very long 15-second period. The water is sitting at 51°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – a nice little bonus. That swell energy is strong, and with a light WNW cross-off breeze, it’s actually clean. This is definitely for the experienced crew though, as it’s pushing into the bigger range.

But the real standout? Saturday the 18th morning. We’re talking an 8ft S swell with a staggering 23-second period. The energy is massive, and it’s glassy. That’s the kind of morning that gets the heart pumping. However, it’s too big for beginners, and for the experts, that super-long period is going to make it break straight and fast. It’ll be a challenge, but for those who know the take-off zone, it’s gonna be a wild ride. Expect crowds to be possible.

Sunday the 19th morning dials it back a notch – 6ft SSW swell, still a solid 16-second period, and glassy again. That’s a much more manageable size for experienced surfers, and the energy is strong. Monday the 20th offers more overhead, clean surf with 8ft S swell and glassy conditions both morning and afternoon, but again, it’s expert territory.

The run of good surf holds through Tuesday the 21st with a 7ft S swell and offshore winds, then it drops off quickly. From Wednesday the 22nd onward, the swell fades fast, dropping below 3ft with weak energy. There’s a long gap of poor conditions from the 24th through to the 28th, with strong onshore winds and messy, blown-out waves. The 26th and 27th have near gale-force cross-onshore winds – that’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

There’s a little glimmer of hope on Wednesday the 29th with a 3ft SSW groundswell, a long 17-second period, and clean offshore winds. Not a standout, but a nice little session if you’re desperate. The rest of the window into early August is mostly small and average.

So, the best on offer is hands-down Saturday the 18th morning – massive, glassy, and powerful. Sunday the 19th morning is a close second for a slightly more manageable challenge. Get on it while it’s good.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed morning, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
!
!
4
4
3
3
!
!
!
4
3
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SSW
15
1.4
ESE
16
1.5
ESE
15
2.5
S
23
2.2
S
19
2
S
17
1.9
SSW
16
2
S
15
2
S
14
2.5
S
19
2.5
S
18
2.5
S
16
2
S
14
1.7
S
13
1.3
S
12
0.8
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
11
0.6
SSW
12
0.7
S
9
0.8
S
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1103
1029
1037
6921
3577
2413
1822
1757
1640
4347
4208
3262
1505
927
449
150
153
210
113
74
86
Wind (km/h)
5
WNW
5
NNE
10
W
5
WNW
5
NNW
10
WSW
5
SW
10
SE
10
SSE
5
WSW
5
WNW
15
N
10
N
10
NNW
10
WSW
0
SW
5
ENE
10
NE
10
N
10
N
20
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
glassy
off
off
off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
High Tide
6:19PM2.08m
6:43AM1.93m
7:13PM2.00m
7:40AM1.86m
8:08PM1.89m
8:38AM1.80m
9:04PM1.80m
9:37AM1.74m
10:00PM1.71m
10:35AM1.70m
10:55PM1.65m
11:30AM1.69m
11:49PM1.61m
Low Tide
12:05PM-0.03m
00:40AM0.06m
1:00PM0.04m
1:35AM0.10m
1:56PM0.13m
2:28AM0.16m
2:52PM0.23m
3:21AM0.23m
3:47PM0.32m
4:13AM0.30m
4:42PM0.40m
5:04AM0.36m
5:35PM0.45m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:54
7:54
7:54
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:16
 mm
9
Temp °C
10
10
8
11
13
11
12
11
9
9
9
8
8
9
10
11
11
10
10
9
12
Feels °C
8
8
6
8
10
8
10
9
6
7
8
4
5
6
7
9
9
7
7
6
5
  • Map Icons:
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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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