Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a good look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a mixed bag coming our way. The first few days are a tease, with some small but clean windows, but the real standout – if you’re experienced and hungry – is looking like Thursday the 24th of September. That’s the session I’ve got my eye on. The swell energy will be pretty solid (1229), coming from the SSW with a groundswell period of 17 seconds, offering up 5ft waves. The wind is forecast to be gentle offshore from the NNW, which should keep things clean. Just a heads up, this spot is for surfers who know what they’re doing at that size; beginners will want to sit this one out. There’s also a feisty pulse of 10ft SSW swell forecast for the morning of Saturday the 26th of September, but the file flags it as too big for this particular break, so steer clear unless you’re looking for a washing machine.

Kicking off from Monday morning the 14th of September, we have glassy conditions with a 6ft S swell, period of 11 seconds, and light WNW winds of 3 mph. The water temp anomaly is sitting about average for this time of year at Banks Peninsula, so the spring wetsuit is the go. This is a solid, clean start with moderate wave energy (736). The wind holds off for the afternoon, turning to a light cross-shore from the ESE, but the swell drops to 4ft and it gets a bit more marginal. Tuesday the 15th sees a cleaner, smaller SSW groundswell of 2ft with a 14-second period and light offshore north winds, which is pretty but lackluster energy (236).

We hit a bit of a flat and messy patch from Wednesday the 16th right through to Tuesday the 22nd. There will be some small, clean, glassy moments on Friday the 18th morning with 2ft and zero wind (energy of 228), and again on Friday afternoon with 2ft SSW groundswell (456). But honestly, it’s a waiting game. Keep an eye on Wednesday the 23rd, as the afternoon goes glassy again with 3ft SSW groundswell and a long 16-second period, giving the energy a nice bump (635) – that’s a lovely little window for a point break or reef.

But as I said, Thursday the 24th of September is the pick. That SSW groundswell is pumping up to 5ft with a 17-second period, generating a strong energy reading (1229). With a gentle offshore from the NNW all day, this is prime for a solo mission. Crowds are listed as "sometimes", so you might have a few friends out, but it’s still a solid option.

After that, things go awry again. The 10ft on Saturday the 26th (energy 1259 and 1695) is just too heavy, and the onshore winds and lumpy conditions from Saturday afternoon onward through the end of the month don’t inspire confidence. There is a final whisper of hope on Monday the 28th morning with a glassy 1ft, 20-second groundswell (energy 277) – very long period, better for a point break – and a final glassy 2ft SSW groundswell on Tuesday the 29th morning (518). Those are tiny but clean.

Rusty.

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