Banna Strand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll level with you – the next week and a half is a tough slog for Banna Strand. There’s a long quiet patch from now through the 18th, with barely a ripple. The first real action doesn’t show up until Monday the 20th, so if you’re hanging for a wave, you’ve got some waiting to do.

Let’s start with the early days. From Sunday the 12th right through the following week, we’re stuck with tiny, weak swell. The water’s sitting at 62°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s about the only positive. Winds are mostly light and offshore or cross-off, so the surface is clean, but with combined energies struggling to hit triple digits – like 55 (weak) on Sunday morning – there’s just no push. Tuesday the 14th afternoon sees a slight uptick, with a 2ft W swell at 10 seconds and a combined energy of 60 (still weak), but the notes call it “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s not worth paddling out for.

That quiet spell drags on through the 18th. Friday the 17th morning goes glassy, but with only 1.0ft on offer and 22 (weak) energy, it’s a flat lake, not a surf. The first sign of life hits on Sunday the 19th morning, with a 2ft WNW swell at 12 seconds and the combined energy finally climbing to 137 (moderate). Problem is, the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s choppy and messy.

Now, Monday the 20th is where it gets interesting, but it’s not for everyone. The swell jumps to 5ft on Monday morning from the WNW, with a period of 7 seconds and combined energy of 249 (moderate). That’s a bit too small for the size, but the energy is there. By Monday afternoon, it’s 7ft from the WNW at 9 seconds, with energy at 637 (strong). The wind is cross-onshore, so it’s going to be bumpy. This is solid, punchy surf, but with the onshore breeze, it’s a battle. Still, for intermediates who don’t mind a bit of chop, it’s the best we’ve seen.

Tuesday the 21st kicks it up another notch. Morning sees 8ft from the WNW at 9 seconds, with energy at 938 (strong). The wind is light onshore, but the swell is pushing hard. By afternoon, it’s 8ft at 9 seconds, energy 994 (strong). This is big, powerful, and thumping straight onto the sandbar. For experts, it’s a proper challenge; for beginners, it’s a no-go zone.

The standout, though, comes on Wednesday the 22nd. That morning, the swell is a massive 15ft from the WNW at 11 seconds, with combined energy of 5236 (very strong). The wind is light onshore, and the forecast says the swell is too big for this break. I’d be calling that a bomb for experts only – think heavy, dredging barrels. The afternoon holds at 15ft from the NW, same period, energy 4506 (very strong), but with a moderate cross-onshore wind adding more chaos. If you’re a seasoned charger and you’ve got the balls, this is your window, but it’s a wild, dangerous beast.

After that, it drops off. Thursday the 23rd morning still has 8ft from the NW at 9 seconds, energy 891 (strong), but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s messy and dropping. By Friday the 24th, it’s back to 4ft and onshore wind, with energy at 143 (weak). The end of the forecast looks like a return to the flat spell, with weak, choppy surf through the 27th.

So, the best on offer? Without a doubt, Wednesday the 22nd morning for the truly brave – it’s a beast, but it’s all yours if you’re up for it. The Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are solid for intermediate-to-advanced crew, though the wind isn’t doing us any favours. For the rest of the time, keep the board in the shed and wait for the next run.

Rusty.

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