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 04 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay sea temperature is
10.1° C
1.1° 

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 3 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with 5,092 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay in the next 16 days are 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Wed 5th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 5th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful12PM (Tue 4th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for our little corner of the coast.

We’ve got a bit of a rough start, with a big swell and strong winds making things messy for the first few days. But hold onto your boards, because things are going to clean up nicely towards the end of the week. The standout window is shaping up to be Thursday afternoon through to Saturday, with some glassy conditions and solid, clean lines.

Let’s break it down. Tuesday, the 4th of August, is a write-off. A massive 15 ft swell from the SSW is getting hammered by a 25 mph cross-on wind, creating some of the ugliest conditions you’ll see. The combined wave energy is a whopping 5123 (strong to very strong), but it’s just a chaotic mess. Not for paddling, maybe for the kites if that’s your thing.

Wednesday, the 5th, is still a no-go for most. The swell is still too big at 10 ft, and while the wind drops to 6 mph, it’s still cross-on. The energy is still very high (2417). This is for experts only, if anyone at all.

Now, Thursday the 6th is where the tide turns. The morning sees a drop to 5 ft from the south with a light cross wind, but the real magic happens in the afternoon. Hickory-Bay (Banks Peninsula) is your spot. We’re looking at 4 ft of swell from the SE, with a period of 10 seconds, and the wind is going glassy. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 50°, which is a nice bonus. Expect clean, fun waves. The combined energy is moderate (653).

Friday the 7th keeps the good vibes going. The morning has 3 ft from the south with a clean cross-off breeze, but the afternoon is even better. The swell bumps up to 4 ft from the south, and the wind turns offshore, cleaning up the faces. It’s a solid, rippable day.

Saturday the 8th is the pick of the weekend. Both morning and afternoon are glassy, with 4 ft of south swell in the morning and 4 ft in the afternoon. Combined energy drops to 356 and 261 (moderate), but with perfect conditions, you’ll be getting some real smooth, picturesque waves. It’s a beginner-friendly size, but plenty of fun for everyone.

The second week is a mixed bag. Sunday the 9th through Tuesday the 11th is a bit of a letdown – onshore winds and smaller, short-period swell make for poor conditions. Wednesday the 12th is a weird one: a tiny 2 ft swell in the morning, then a jump to a messy 8 ft in the afternoon. That’s a pass.

We get a big southerly groundswell on the 15th and 16th, with a 3 ft swell from the SSW and a very long period of 19 seconds. That’s all about the points and reefs, but local winds are cross, so it’s a bit choppy. Not a standout.

The last few days, from the 17th to the 19th, we see a building ENE swell, but it’s consistently too big (8 ft) and accompanied by onshore winds. The combined energy is massive (up to 1972), but it’s just not paddling-friendly. It’s a block of days for the experts or the kites.

So, bottom line: the real action is Thursday afternoon through Saturday. Get out there, enjoy the glass, and leave the big stuff to the kamikazes.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Wed morning, min 3°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue morning, calm by Thu morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

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

Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
!
!
1
2
3
3
2
3
2
2
2
1
0
0
2
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4.5
SSW
11
4
S
12
3.5
S
12
3
S
12
2.5
S
11
1.9
SSE
10
1.4
S
10
1.3
SE
10
1.1
S
10
1
S
13
1.3
S
12
1.3
S
11
1.2
S
10
1.1
S
10
1.1
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
9
1.1
SSE
9
1
S
11
1.3
ESE
7
1.2
ESE
7
1.5
ESE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
5116
4604
3826
2398
1633
692
369
377
221
352
488
401
284
235
235
201
193
229
145
148
266
Wind (km/h)
40
SSW
35
SSW
30
SSW
10
SW
10
SW
10
WSW
10
W
5
ENE
10
N
15
NNE
10
N
10
SSW
5
WNW
5
ENE
5
W
10
SW
15
SSW
5
SSE
10
E
10
E
10
ENE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
glassy
off
cross-off
off
on
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
8:05PM1.68m
8:34AM1.67m
8:58PM1.66m
9:32AM1.71m
9:56PM1.67m
10:33AM1.77m
10:57PM1.70m
11:34AM1.85m
11:57PM1.75m
12:34PM1.94m
00:56AM1.82m
1:31PM2.02m
1:52AM1.89m
Low Tide
2:01PM0.35m
2:28AM0.34m
2:54PM0.37m
3:19AM0.33m
3:51PM0.36m
4:14AM0.30m
4:50PM0.34m
5:11AM0.25m
5:49PM0.30m
6:08AM0.18m
6:48PM0.24m
7:06AM0.10m
7:45PM0.17m
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:33
7:33
7:31
7:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:36
 mm
3
1
Temp °C
6
6
6
7
7
5
6
6
5
8
8
9
11
10
9
10
10
9
9
9
8
Feels °C
-4
-4
-3
3
3
1
4
4
1
4
5
6
9
8
7
7
6
8
7
6
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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