Banzai Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this 16-day window for Banzai is a tough one to write. This is a reef break that needs specific conditions to line up, and for the next couple of weeks, the wind and swell just aren't playing ball.

We start with a quiet period. The first solid recommendation doesn't appear until much later, so from now through early September, the surf is a no-go. The swell is small, mostly under 3ft, and coming from the SE, which is directly onshore and messing up any chance of a clean face. The combined energy is weak, sitting between 27 and 158 (158 being the only moderate spike on Wednesday the 26th, but quickly ruined by onshore wind). The water temperature is sitting at 84°, which is about average for this time of year, so that’s not the issue.

The real problem is the wind. It’s relentless from the SE and ESE, blowing cross-on or directly onshore almost every day. This is a reef break that needs that NW offshore to make it special, and we just don't see it. The period is short, mostly 6 to 7 seconds, so no real groundswell energy to push through the chop.

Now, there’s a glimmer of hope in the second week. On Friday, September 7th, we see the swell size bump up to 4ft, still from the SE, but with a slightly longer period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 210, which is moderate. The wind is still onshore for the afternoon, but the morning of September 7th shows a light SSE breeze. That’s the only window that looks even remotely rideable, but it’s not a standout. The swell direction is SE, but Banzai’s optimum is S, so it’s not hitting the reef perfectly.

Then on Tuesday, September 8th, we get a jump in the afternoon. The swell is 5ft from the ESE with 8-second period, and the combined energy hits a massive 468. That’s strong to very strong energy. But the wind is still onshore from the SE. For a reef break like Banzai, that much energy with onshore wind is going to be a messy, closed-out, dangerous situation. I’d only recommend this for absolute experts, and even then, it’s a gamble. The crowds are noted as "sometimes," so when it’s on, the lineup can get busy, but with this forecast, it’ll likely be empty.

The rest of the run into the 8th of September is the same story: SE wind, onshore, small to moderate swell, poor conditions. It’s a stretch of flatness and blown-out slop. There’s no standout day here. The best you can hope for is a quick look at the 4ft on the morning of the 7th, but don’t hold your breath.

This is a spot that can be world-class, but it needs a proper S swell and that NW offshore wind. We just don’t get that in this 16-day window. Hard to get excited about this one.

- Rusty

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