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.
Sun, May 10: 0–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 12mph from the WSW.
Mon, May 11: flat–flatft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — Flat and mostly very poor with barely a breath of wind. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 9mph.
Tue, May 12: flat–flatft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — Flat and very poor with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Wed, May 13: flat–flatft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light winds out of the NE. Expect the wind to bump up to around 16mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: flat–flatft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — Flat and very poor conditions with moderate NNW wind around 8mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 18mph by PM.
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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 3.25s swell period. Wind is WSW at 11mph 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 0.3ft SW primary swell at 5s, a 0.7ft SSW wind swell swell at 3s. 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 Thursday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 1ft waves, a 2.8s 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.
