Hickory Bay Surf Guide

Hickory Bay Surf Guide

A session at Hickory encapsulates most of the features that come to mind when thinking of the quintessential south island surf trip: amazing scenery, plenty of driving, the use of binoculars to check the surf from afar, gravel roads, cold water, and a wee tramp through pastures of sheep and their plentiful droppings, and of course, some quality waves.

Located on the eastern edge of the Banks Peninsula, formed from the twin craters of two ancient volcanoes, the Bay faces southeast and is well protected by high cliffs at both ends end of the beach. From Christchurch it's a good hour's drive by the time you've driven through, up, down and around the Bank's Peninsula. However, it's a popular spot as it often provides waves in conditions that aren't suitable elsewhere.

You can have a rough guess at the quality of the waves from the sealed road at the top of the ridge. It's worth doing this, as it'll save you the effort of driving the narrow gravel road to the car park at the bottom where you'll need to still to walk a few minutes before you can check the surf. Even then, the waves are over a kilometer away across a farm, a small stream and a driftwood-backed beach.