Banna Strand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Banna Strand over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be honest – this is a slow start, so don’t get your hopes up for the first few days.

We’re looking at Wednesday the 29th of July, and it’s a total dud. Swell is small, around 4ft, but it’s coming from the WNW with a short, weak period of only 8 seconds. The wind is blowing cross-onshore or onshore, making it choppy and messy. The wave energy is weak, maxing out around 183 (moderate), but the quality is just poor. Thursday and Friday are the same story – small, weak, and onshore. Not worth paddling out.

From Saturday the 1st of August through to the 6th of August, it goes flat. Swell heights drop to 3ft and then down to 0.7ft, with energy readings falling to single digits (down to 5). The wind does go offshore or cross-off on a few mornings, giving you clean, glassy water, but there’s absolutely no wave to ride. That’s a long stretch of about 5 days with nothing.

Then, things get wild. On Friday the 7th of August, a big WNW swell hits, pushing 12ft with a 10-second period. The combined energy is a massive 1939 (strong, very strong). That’s a lot of water, but here’s the thing: at Banna Strand, a west-facing sandbar, that size is too big for most. This is expert-only territory, and it’ll be a bumpy ride with a gentle cross-onshore wind. Not a beginner’s session.

The real standout – and the one I’d mark on the calendar – is Saturday the 8th of August. The swell drops to a more manageable 7ft, still from the west, with an 8-second period. The wind swings offshore from the ESE at 15 mph, making it clean. The energy is still strong at 675, and the waves will have some punch. This is the best window for competent intermediate surfers. The morning is the pick, with that offshore wind holding. Crowds are "often" here, so expect company, but the quality should be worth it.

Sunday the 9th of August is also a beauty. The swell is 7ft, from the WNW, with a 10-second period, and the wind goes glassy in the afternoon (E at 3 mph). That’s a clean, lined-up swell with moderate energy (870). This is a classic day for Banna – not too big, not too small, and smooth as butter. The water temperature is a touch warmer than normal at 63° (anomaly 3°), so it’s pleasant for the time of year.

After that, the surf fades again. Monday the 10th of August has a quick drop to 3ft, then it’s back to flat, small, and weak for the rest of the forecast. The 16-day window ends with tiny waves and no energy.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a dud, then a big pulse on the 7th is for experts only, but the 8th (Saturday) and especially the 9th (Sunday) are the standouts. If you can wait, that’s your window. The setup is a sandbar, so with a long-period groundswell like that 10-second WNW, it might break a bit straight, but with glassy conditions, it’ll still be fun. Don’t hold your breath for the second week – it’s back to flat.

Rusty out.

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