Hickory Bay - surf spot statistics

Hickory Bay in New Zealand offers consistent swell year-round, with no months recording zero swell, making it a reliable surf spot. The best conditions generally occur from April to July when the mean swell size peaks between 2.1m and 2.3m. During these months, ground swell dominates (60-62% in April-May), providing cleaner and more organized waves compared to wind swell. Wind conditions improve slightly in these months, with good wind days increasing to 25-29%, though onshore winds still prevail (71-75% bad conditions). The worst wind conditions are in summer (January-February and December), where bad winds exceed 80%. From August onwards, swell size gradually decreases, though September-October still offers decent waves around 2.0m. Summer months (December-February) see smaller swells (1.8-1.9m) and the highest wind swell influence (54-66%), resulting in choppier conditions. Overall, mid-autumn to mid-winter (April-July) is the prime window for surfers seeking larger, cleaner waves at Hickory Bay, with May standing out as the peak month thanks to strong ground swell (62%) and slightly improved wind odds (27% good).

In February, Hickory Bay offers solid surf conditions with an average swell height of 1.9m and a favorable wave period of 10.1s, indicating well-spaced, powerful waves. The predominant swell directions are from the SSW (peaking in the 1.5-2.5m range) and S/SSE, providing consistent, rideable waves. However, cross-shore or onshore winds are common: northerly and NE winds dominate, bringing stronger gusts (20-40kph), while SW and S winds offer lighter, more manageable speeds. Only 19% of the time does the wind align ideally for surfing (typically light offshore or sideshore from the W/NW quadrant). Expect larger swells to be most frequent from the NE and SSW directions, though wind conditions often dictate session quality—early mornings may provide cleaner conditions before breezes pick up. Advanced surfers will find the most opportunities, especially when mid-period swells (1.5-2.5m) coincide with lighter winds.