Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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.

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