Banana Island Left
Banana Island Left is a fickle but heavy left reef break accessed by 15-minute boat ride from Krui on the south coast of Sumatra. The wave is a tube master's playground when it fires, producing sucky, pitching barrels over shallow reef in warm, clear water. Its fickle nature—requiring specific off-season W winds—keeps crowds minimal and rewards patient surfers who time their visit right. Expert surfing skills are essential.
Banana Island Left surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (205°)
- Direction range
- 190° - 220°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 240° - 300°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.5m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
9/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Boat access to Banana Island is required from the Krui/South Sumatra coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Banana Island Left?
Banana Island Left is a reef break in South Sumatra (Krui), Indonesia, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Banana Island Left?
Banana Island Left picks up swell from the S round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Banana Island Left?
A W wind is dead offshore at Banana Island Left, and anything from the WSW round to the WNW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to midday. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Banana Island Left?
Banana Island Left is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.5m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Banana Island Left?
The most reliable run of swell at Banana Island Left comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Mar too. Best Apr-Oct (dry season, SE trades offshore). Swells year-round but wet season brings onshore winds.
How cold is the water at Banana Island Left?
The water at Banana Island Left averages around 28°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Banana Island Left good for beginners?
No. At 9/10 for difficulty, it's strictly for experts. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Things to watch for: sharp, shallow reef (booties help), a long walk or paddle in, long hold-downs and being a long way from help.
How do I get to Banana Island Left?
The nearest airport on our list is TKG, then it's roughly a 4-hour drive. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $80 USD, but confirm with an operator). Boat access to Banana Island is required from the Krui/South Sumatra coast.
What other surf spots are near Banana Island Left?
The closest breaks we track are Way Jambu (4.7 km), Honey Smacks (5.3 km) and Jimmy's Right (7.0 km), handy when Banana Island Left isn't working. We track 7 spots around South Sumatra (Krui) in total.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Best Apr-Oct (dry season, SE trades offshore). Swells year-round but wet season brings onshore winds.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Way Jambu
💥 Sumatran Pipeline • Kirra-style barrels • Expert-only heaviness
Honey Smacks
🌊 Krui heavy left • Steep fast barrel • Bodyboarder favourite
Jimmy's Right
🌊 North Krui right • Reef right • Tropical Indo
The Peak
🌊 Short perfect right • Drop in, get barreled • Krui region gem
Krui Left
🌊 Bingin of Sumatra • Mechanical barrels • Needs big swell
Mandiri Beach
🏖️ Indonesia's best beach break • Thick sand barrels • Morning offshores