Banyons (Kahaluu-Keauhou)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Banyons (Kahaluu-Keauhou) is an exposed reef break on Hawaiʻi Island’s Kona coast, known for fast, hollow high-performance surfing over a shallow lava shelf. The spot is typically described as an A-frame with walling/right sections and also offers lefts depending on the swell and how the reef section comes alive. Wind can strongly affect wave quality: East winds are generally offshore and help groom the faces, while shifts toward more onshore/other directions can make the surf choppier. A clean offshore window is most commonly reported from dawn until around 10:00 AM, with diurnal changes that can reduce quality later in the day depending on conditions. Because the reef is shallow and the entry involves sharp lava rock, conditions can be significantly more dangerous at low tide and during larger swells. Sea urchins (Wana) are called out repeatedly as a hazard within the reef crevices, and stronger currents can develop when sets build—so careful timing and situational awareness are essential. Overall, Banyons is widely regarded as one of the island’s most consistent, high-performance reef waves. It is also known for heavy local presence and a competitive lineup, so strong surf etiquette and respect for local riders are critical to avoid conflict. For most surfers, sessions are typically most appropriate at intermediate-to-advanced levels due to the reef, take-off zone constraints, and the speed/power of the waves.
- Exposed reef A-frame producing fast, hollow rights
- Offshore East winds commonly improve grooming early in the day
- Shallow reef and urchins require extra caution, especially at low tide
- Very consistent, high-performance reef break
- Offshore East winds often groom the wave early in the day
- Year-round surf with winter NW swell potential
- Highly locally driven and competitive lineup
- Shallow, exposed reef with sea urchins and sharp lava rocks; entry/exit requires care
- Heavy crowds can coincide with clean swell events
- Limited rescue availability at the spot
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ENE, ESE
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE, ESE
- No-go directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Trade-wind influenced mornings (often light offshore from the East), with a diurnal pattern that can shift to afternoon onshore influences.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light-gusts reported; wind reliability is medium.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March, April
- Shadow Zones
- High terrain inland provides some protection from stronger trade winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/lava reef conditions.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium-sized reef waves; can hold significant size on better sets.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop can increase when wind is not offshore (e.g., West winds), otherwise early offshore winds can groom faces.
- Launch
- Small — Sharp lava rock entry requiring careful timed access; sometimes described as a timed jump or careful paddle out.
Through the year
Consistently crowded year-round, especially during weekends and clean swell events.
Rain is most common from May to September; Kona is generally dry.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed A-frame reef break with fast, hollow rights (walling). Lefts also occur depending on swell and section. Requires attention to shallow reef depth and sharp lava access.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW, WNW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best at medium to high tides due to shallow conditions over the exposed reef.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break with little natural protection; conditions can deteriorate quickly if wind shifts or reef shallows inside.
- Wind Effect
- East winds are typically offshore and groom faces; West winds tend to create choppier conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold significant size but becomes increasingly dangerous as the reef gets shallower on the inside.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Good to excellent wave quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — High-performance, powerful reef waves.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow rights are a signature; mixed/hollow character reported depending on set and section.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast take-off and hollow sections.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short, intense rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short, intense rides with steep take-off and hollow sections; reported typical ride length is about 50–100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Banyons (Kahaluu-Keauhou) in the full forecast view.
Banyons (Kahaluu-Keauhou) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- WSW240°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 288 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.7 m11s period
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Banyons (Kahaluu-Keauhou) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.8–1.7 m with a period of about 11s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Urchins/sea urchins in reef crevices
- Sharp lava rocks and shallow reef sections
- Strong rip currents can develop during larger swells
- Heavy crowds
- Aggressive localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported specifically at this spot; lifeguards are generally stationed at major beach parks along the stretch.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua; dial 911 for emergency services.
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Localism is a major factor; the lineup is competitive and the take-off zone is small.
Rules of the spot
Strict surf etiquette is required due to the competitive, locally driven lineup. Surf is best at medium to high tides due to shallow reef conditions.
- Do not attempt low-tide sessions on the inside reef if you’re unsure of access
- Avoid the shallow inside reef during low tide
- Watch your step on lava rocks during entry and exit
- Be respectful to local riders to avoid conflict
- Reef bottom is very shallow—use extra caution when entering/exiting
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kailua-Kona
- Nearest Town
- Kailua-Kona
- Nearest Airport
- Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA / Kona International Airport)
- Parking
- Limited parallel parking available along the shoulder of Ali'i Drive.
- Public Transport
- Limited; rental cars are the primary mode of transport. The Hele-On Bus provides limited regional service.
- Access
- Access is directly off Ali'i Drive; a small path leads over the rocks to the water.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels and vacation rentals are located along Ali'i Drive and in the Keauhou area.
- Food & Drink
- Various restaurants and cafes are within walking distance or a short drive along the coast.
- Equipment Rental:
- Several surf shops in Kailua-Kona offer board rentals.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops in Kailua-Kona provide fiberglass and epoxy repair services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A resort-oriented coastal area with strong surfing culture and nearby Hawaiian heritage sites.
A popular white sand beach known for disappearing during high surf events.
Former vacation home of Hawaiian royalty, now a museum.
Nighttime boat tours to view manta rays feeding near the shore.
A long stretch of waterfront restaurants and cafes offering local Hawaiian cuisine.
Protected reef with a high concentration of sea turtles and tropical fish.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Banyons (Kahaluu-Keauhou)?
The best overall months at Banyons (Kahaluu-Keauhou) are January, February, March, April, October, November, December. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Banyons (Kahaluu-Keauhou)?
Banyons (Kahaluu-Keauhou) works with E, ENE, ESE winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE, ESE. No-go directions are W.
What skill level is Banyons (Kahaluu-Keauhou) suitable for?
Banyons (Kahaluu-Keauhou) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.