Banana Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. Looking at the whole 16-day window for Banana Point, it’s a slow start. The first few days are a real grind – small, weak swell and onshore winds messing up the shape. The first real chance to get wet doesn’t come until the morning of September 6th. Before that, from September 2nd through the 5th, it’s mostly poor surf, choppy or glassy but with no energy to speak of.

September 6th (Sunday) morning: a 0.8m NW swell, period around 7 seconds, light cross-offshore wind from the SE. The water is clean. The combined energy is moderate (77). Not a big day, but you can get a few grovelly ones.

September 7th (Monday) morning is similar – 0.6m NW, clean with light cross-off wind. Energy is moderate (102). Still just ordinary.

Then September 8th (Tuesday) morning brings a little pulse. A 0.6m swell from the WNW, but the period jumps to 11 seconds – that’s a groundswell. Combined energy is moderate (155). The wind is glassy, calm. That’s the best morning of the early run. The waves will be small, but the long period gives them some punch and shape. At a point break like this, that’s a good match.

The real standouts are the mornings of September 15th (Tuesday) and September 16th (Wednesday). September 15th morning is the best of the whole forecast. We’ve got a 0.8m swell from the WNW, period 12 seconds – very solid groundswell. Combined energy hits 242, which is strong. The wind is glassy, calm. That’s the one you set your alarm for. The waves will be small but clean, with good shape and that long-period push. It’s small enough for everyone. The water temperature is about 70°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year – the anomaly is only -0.4°F, so nothing unusual.

September 16th (Wednesday) morning is also decent – 0.6m NW, period 11 seconds, light cross-off wind, energy 129. Clean, but not as much size as the 15th.

September 17th (Thursday) morning: 0.5m NW, period 12 seconds, glassy, energy 101. Another clean, small day.

The afternoons throughout this whole period are generally a no-go – onshore winds from the WNW or W, often moderate or strong, chop things up. Don’t bother with the afternoon sessions.

The water temp is about 70°F, which is average for the season. No big anomaly.

Banana Point is a point break, exposed to NW swell, and it’s fairly consistent. It can get crowded – the crowds are listed as “often,” so expect company, especially on the better mornings. The optimum swell direction is from the NW, and that’s exactly what we’re getting, so that’s a plus.

To sum it up: the first week is mostly a waiting game. The best day by far is the morning of September 15th – glassy, clean, long-period groundswell, and strong energy. September 8th morning is a decent second option. After that, the 16th and 17th mornings are worth a look if you’re desperate. Don’t bother with the afternoons.

Rusty.

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