Hickory Bay.

Hickory Bay sits on the eastern flank of Banks Peninsula, facing southeast into a 180-degree swell window that makes it the most consistent beachbreak in the Christchurch region. The main attraction is a wedging left in the north corner against the cliffs, producing heavy, hollow walls with barrel sections on bigger swells. Peaks shift along the sandy beach, offering both lefts and rights with steep, fast takeoffs. The wave handles serious size up to 3.5 metres, though overhead days bring punishing paddle-outs - a recurring theme on the exposed peninsula. Access requires commitment: a gravel road descent to a farm carpark followed by a 10-15 minute walk through paddock gates to the beach. No facilities exist, and everything must be packed in and out. The remoteness keeps crowds thin - sessions with nobody out are common. Sharks frequent the bay, and seals are regular visitors. Nearby Goughs Bay offers a mellower alternative when conditions are too heavy. Known to Maori as Waikerikikari, meaning the Bay of Angry Waters, the name tells you everything about what to expect when a solid swell is running.

Wedging left against the cliffs where Waikerikikari earns its angry waters name.