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).

Hickory Bay in July offers surfers consistent swells with an average height of 2.2m and a solid period of 10.9s, indicating powerful, well-spaced waves. The most dominant swell directions are from the SSW and S, contributing to the highest frequency of surfable conditions, particularly in the 1.5–2.5m range, which is ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. However, winds are less favorable, with only 29% of conditions being optimal for surfing. The predominant wind directions are from the N, NNE, and SW, often bringing stronger gusts (20–50kph) that can create choppy or cross-shore conditions. While the swell ensures decent wave energy, wind interference means surfers should target early mornings or wait for days with lighter ESE to SE winds, which are less frequent but cleaner. Overall, July delivers solid waves but requires patience for favorable wind alignments.