Hicks Bay
- Beginners, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Hicks Bay is a sheltered sandy beach break at the tip of East Cape, known for producing fairly consistent surf and for rarely drawing crowds. The beach has sandy setup space and peaks running down the beach, which helps create a softer, more manageable feel compared with harsher reef setups. Surf conditions are most favored around high tide, and the overall wave character is described as good to fairly good, with peeling walls that can support a range of maneuvers. Providers also highlight that the spot can work as a quieter alternative when the wider East Cape area is more affected by strong westerly winds—when offshore southwesterly or westerly winds line up, waves tend to be cleaner. The biggest day-to-day challenge is safety: rocks are present at the ends/around the bay, and rip currents/strong currents can occur, particularly near rocky headlands. The spot is also remote, so visitors should assume limited on-the-spot help; bring supplies and plan for self-sufficiency. For the season, July is repeatedly identified as a best month, and clean conditions in that month are reported as relatively infrequent—meaning that timing with wind and tide is important. Overall, the spot is best approached with a conservative safety mindset and a focus on wind direction and tide alignment.
- Sheltered, consistent sandy beach break
- Best around high tide
- Offshore southwest/west winds improve wave cleanliness
- Very low crowd factor
- Sheltered sandy beach break with relatively consistent surf.
- Low-crowd environment—rarely crowded.
- Often performs when other nearby areas are affected by stronger winds, provided offshore winds align.
- Hazards include rocks and rip currents/strong currents near headlands.
- Remote location with limited services and no lifeguards.
- Clean surf windows can be relatively limited in peak wind months (July clean rates reported low).
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 9–17 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Southwest prevailing; trade/frontal influence around the East Cape.
- Reliability
- Monthly blown-out percentage in July is reported at 16%.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — July sessions described as steady.
- Best Months
- July
- Shadow Zones
- Protected from North and Northwest winds (bay sheltering).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach; peaks down the beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Wave size reported as small by one provider; another notes medium-sized surf.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Chop is reported; conditions can be wind-influenced.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with peaks/contours down the beach; plenty of space to set up.
Through the year
Generally quiet year-round due to remote location.
Winter months (June to August) bring more frequent rain and storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A sheltered, relatively consistent beach break on a sandy bay with peaks down the beach. Typically suited to lower-pressure, cleaner setups—waves can be more blown out in stronger wind conditions, so wind direction matters.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — Both providers emphasize high tide as the best time.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered bay setting.
- Wind Effect
- Works best with offshore southwest winds (SW/W as offshore options) and when winds are not blowing out the lineup.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold reasonable size but may start to close out on very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good; clean surfability in July is reported as limited (about 7% clean).
- Wave Power
- Soft — Described as a softer, sheltered beach break; moderate power also noted by a second provider.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling peaks.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling, with a medium peel speed reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides described as medium length by at least one provider.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves provide a decent wall for a range of maneuvers; typical ride length reported in meters by one provider.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Hicks Bay in the full forecast view.
Hicks Bay wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–18 ktsGusts 39 kts
- Direction
- WNW292°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2718 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 11–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Hicks Bay is forecast for daytime winds of 4–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 39 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.5–1.8 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Rip currents
- Strong currents near rocky headlands
- Remote location with limited services
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is described as no for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- No lifeguards. Nearest major medical facilities are referenced as in larger towns (e.g., Te Araroa or Gisborne). In New Zealand, call 111 for emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism issues indicated for the spot.
Rules of the spot
Check the tide (typically works best toward high tide) and avoid hazards at the ends of the beach.
- No designated sport zones mentioned.
- Watch out for rips and rocks.
- Best around high tide.
- Check tide as conditions generally improve toward high tide.
- Bring all necessary supplies due to remoteness.
- Watch for submerged rocks near the headlands.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Gisborne
- Nearest Town
- Hicks Bay
- Parking
- Parking is available near the beach and the old wharf area; rural roadside parking likely.
- Public Transport
- Extremely limited; a private vehicle is essential for accessing the region.
- Access
- Accessible by road via State Highway 35 / near the tip of East Cape on Surf Highway 45
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation is available in Hicks Bay and Te Araroa (e.g., motels/holiday parks and small guesthouses).
- Food & Drink
- Limited options in the immediate area; basic supplies in Te Araroa.
- Equipment Rental:
- No local rental shops at the beach; gear rental typically requires heading to Gisborne.
- Gear Storage
- Generally only available through private accommodation providers.
- Gear Repair
- No specialized repair shops on-site; nearest services are in Gisborne.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The East Cape is described as a haven for solitude and natural beauty, with strong Māori cultural presence and outdoor adventure opportunities.
Famous for being the easternmost point of mainland New Zealand and for being the first place to see the sunrise.
Historic church known for stunning Māori carvings and design.
Renowned for world-class fishing and clear diving waters.
One of the few formal dining options in the immediate vicinity.
Scenic walks along the rugged coastline and visits to the ancient Te Waha-o-Rerekohu pohutukawa tree.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Hicks Bay?
The best overall months at Hicks Bay are July.
Which wind directions work at Hicks Bay?
Hicks Bay works with SW winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What skill level is Hicks Bay suitable for?
Hicks Bay suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.