Florida - West Coast
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Big Hickory Pass, Florida - West Coast. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with moderate ESE wind around 7mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 10mph ENE winds.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 9mph ENE winds.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 7mph from the ENE.
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Big Hickory Pass is a tidal inlet break on florida - west coast, nestled between Bonita Beach and Little Hickory Island near Fort Myers Beach, where the pass channels water between Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The spot faces ENE and relies on rare but rideable groundswells that wrap into the Gulf, with the tidal flow through the pass helping to shape sandbars that can produce punchy, short-period waves during tropical storm season. It's a novelty wave by Florida standards, best surfed on a solid west or northwest swell combined with favorable tidal movement, making timing and local knowledge essential.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Big Hickory Pass is 0-1ft with a 4.05s swell period. Wind is S at 2mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Big Hickory Pass is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.7ft WNW primary swell at 4s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Big Hickory Pass is Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 1ft waves, a 3.5s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Big Hickory Pass works best with a W swell and E winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Big Hickory Pass. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Big Hickory Pass is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Big Hickory Pass is a tidal inlet break on florida - west coast, nestled between Bonita Beach and Little Hickory Island near Fort Myers Beach, where the pass channels water between Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The spot faces ENE and relies on rare but rideable groundswells that wrap into the Gulf, with the tidal flow through the pass helping to shape sandbars that can produce punchy, short-period waves during tropical storm season. It's a novelty wave by Florida standards, best surfed on a solid west or northwest swell combined with favorable tidal movement, making timing and local knowledge essential.
The prime season at Big Hickory Pass is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Big Hickory Pass include strong tidal currents, boat traffic, shallow sandbars, jellyfish, sharks, unpredictable closeouts. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Big Hickory Pass forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
