Banks Peninsula - Hickory Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. We’ve got a solid run of swell on the way for Hickory Bay, but it’s a real "big-boy" stretch for the next week or so, and the conditions are going to be a bit of a mixed bag.

The first real surfable action kicks off Saturday morning, 18th July, and it’s a doozy. We’re looking at a massive 8ft groundswell out of the south, with a very long 23 second period. The combined energy is absolutely pumping at 8627. The wind is glassy, so it’s going to look clean. But here’s the thing: at 8ft, this is pushing it for a beginner spot. This is really only for the experienced crew. The water temp is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 51°, so that’s a nice little bonus.

Saturday afternoon stays clean with a 8ft south swell and offshore winds. The energy is still massive at 5803. The swell is still big, so it’s for experienced surfers only.

Sunday morning, the 19th, the swell drops to 7ft, but the wind swings onshore. The energy is still hefty at 2406, but it’s going to be messy. Sunday afternoon sees a slight increase in size to 7ft, but the wind is still onshore, so it’s a bit of a write-off for good quality.

Monday morning, the 20th, we get glassy conditions again with a 10ft south swell. That’s a monster. The energy is 6080. This is a serious, expert-only paddle-out. The swell is too big for most. Monday afternoon sees an 8ft swell with offshore winds, but again, it’s too big for your average surfer.

Now, here’s where the week gets interesting. Tuesday the 21st is the standout. The morning delivers a 6ft south swell with a moderate offshore wind, and the energy is a solid 1187. The swell is still big, but it’s manageable for experienced surfers. The afternoon is even better: 5ft, offshore wind, and a clean face. The energy is 738. This is the best window for the first week. It’s not too big, and the wind is good.

Wednesday morning the 22nd is a sweet little window for the beginners. The swell drops to 3ft with glassy conditions. The energy is low at 254, but it’s all clean and fun. Wednesday afternoon gets a bit cross-shore and small.

From Thursday the 23rd through to the 26th, we are in a real lull. The swell is tiny, with heights between 1.0ft and 4ft. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-shore, and the energy is very low. This is a quiet stretch, so don’t get your hopes up.

Then we get a massive spike on Monday the 27th. A 13ft south swell with offshore winds, and the energy is 4726. That’s a huge, powerful swell. It’s for experts only, and it’s a week out, so keep an eye on it. The following days, from the 28th to the 30th, are all too big with strong cross-onshore or onshore winds, making for messy, dangerous conditions.

The real second standout is Friday the 31st of July. The swell has dropped to a manageable 6ft from the southeast, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore. The energy is 1133. The afternoon stays clean with a 6ft swell. This is a solid, clean option for experienced surfers.

The first weekend of August looks marginal, with onshore winds and a small swell, so it’s a bit of a fade-out.

So, for the best on offer, I’d be looking at Tuesday the 21st for the best balance of size and conditions, and the Friday the 31st for a clean, solid session. Get out there, but be smart about it.

Rusty.

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