Overview
Banff Beach is a sand-bottomed beachbreak that peels both left and right. The best banks form down at the harbour end of the beach, which is also the more sheltered corner when the wind is up.
When It Works
The beach picks up swell from northwest through northeast, with a north swell the best match. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 1.8 m / 6 ft, so you want a bit of size in the water without it getting too big. The harbour end really comes into its own at low tide, when those banks fire.
Wind and Tide
Look for a south offshore wind to clean things up. The harbour corner also gives you some shelter from southwest winds, so it can stay surfable when the rest of the beach is blown out. It breaks on low and mid tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Access
Get down to the water by the metal stairs leading to the harbour.
