Florida - West Coast
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Big Hickory Pass for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 1–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and very poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 8mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 1–1ft, 2s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and poor with gentle NNE breeze.
Thu, Jul 2: 1–1ft, 2s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and very poor with light E winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–1ft, 3s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and poor with light winds out of the SE. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and very poor with light winds out of the ESE. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
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 1ft with a 2.75s swell period. Wind is SW at 6mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
Breaking wave height is the actual size of waves as they break at Big Hickory Pass, calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry. Unlike raw buoy readings that measure swells in deep water, breaking wave height tells you the rideable wave size you'll see when you paddle out.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Big Hickory Pass is Tuesday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 1ft waves, a 1.6s 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
