(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“If you haven't been surfing here all your life and it's firing good luck getting any waves. If you try and you are not from here you best sit on the shoulder and hope someone will let you into a wave. Respect the locals.”
F1 from UNITED STATES - 17 Apr 2024
Banyans Ratings
Overall: 3.0. Based on 4 votes and 2 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.0(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 3.5(1: Banyans is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 3.0(1: Banyans is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Big Island. 5: the best break in Big Island). |
Difficulty Level: 4.2(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 2.0(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Banyans can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 4.0(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Banyans, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 1.0(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Banyans are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 4.0(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 1.8(1: Often too crowded. 5: Banyans is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 3.7(1: Getting to Banyans requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 3.0(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 1.0(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 3.0(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Banyans for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 1.0(1: Camping at Banyans is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 2.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Banyans is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 2.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 2.5(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Banyans, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 2.5(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Banyans where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“Leave this place alone. Let the young rippas surf there. They're around 10 to 14 years old, and they're better than you will ever be. This is their place, so let them keep it.
Check out the review for local attitude - enough said. Even the older kama'aina leave this place for the younger ones. Just can't take, take, take all da time, brah. Let this one go and move on to the next spot.”
Stinger from UNITED STATES - 21 Jun 2012
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