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).

November at Hickory Bay delivers consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.9m and a solid 10s period, providing well-formed waves ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. The swell direction is predominantly from the SSW, accounting for the largest share of quality waves, particularly in the 1.5-2.5m range, which makes up nearly 20% of the time—offering powerful, clean conditions. ENE to SE swells also contribute, though less frequently, with smaller but still rideable waves. Wind conditions are a mixed bag: only 21% of the time are they truly ideal (light offshore or cross-offshore), mostly from the ENE to SE. However, stronger onshore winds from the SSW to NW are common, which can chop up the swell. The best sessions will likely come after a SSW swell with lighter ENE winds, combining size and clean faces. While not a guaranteed daily score, November provides enough solid swells and occasional clean conditions to make it worth checking.