Surfing Banyans: The Complete Guide

Banyans is a reef break located in Kona Coast, Big Island, USA (HI), offering both lefts and rights along North America's diverse surf scene. Banyans is the Big Island's best wave—an A-frame reef break that catches both W/NW swells in winter and S swells in summer, making it one of Hawaii's most versatile spots. Rated as intermediate difficulty with moderately crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is W (270°), with workable conditions from SSW to WNW (200°–300°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Banyans needs a minimum of 0.9m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 2.4m / 8ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Secondary Swell: Catches S swells in summer in addition to NW swells in winter.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the E (80°). The full offshore range spans NNE to SE (30°–130°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Banyans runs November, December, January, February, March (Nov–Mar). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens May, June, July, August, September (May–Sep). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Year-round. S swells in summer, NW in winter. Shane Dorian's home break.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 25°C / 77°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is KOA, just a quick 10-minute drive from the break.

Access: Beach access along Ali'i Drive.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

A-frame reef break. Long glassy rights in Kona conditions. Shane Dorian's home break.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy

Skill Level: This spot is rated intermediate (5/10). Crowd Level: Typically moderately crowded (5/10). Recommended board: a performance shortboard.

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Banyans? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Banyans is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*