Kamakura Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Been staring at the charts for Kamakura for a good while, and I’ll be straight with you—this 16-day run is a real mixed bag, and most of it is pretty ordinary. We start with a long stretch of nothing worth getting out of bed for, so don’t bother strapping the board on the roof just yet.

The first real sign of life doesn’t show up until Sunday morning the 2nd of August. It’s still nothing to write home about—swell is a tiny 1ft out of the ESE with a very long period of 16 seconds, which can be a bit tricky on a beach break, making waves break a bit straight. The water temp is about average for this time of year. Combined energy is weak at 104, so you’ll be scratching around for scraps. On the plus side, it’s glassy with no wind, so if you’re desperate for a paddle, it’ll be clean, but it’s really a beginner wave at best.

Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th see a slow build. Swell tops out around 3ft to 5ft on Tuesday morning from the SE, period still very long at 17 seconds. The combined energy jumps to a moderate 411 on Monday and a strong 1995 by Tuesday morning. Cross-off winds from the NE keep things reasonably clean. It’s surfable and okay for intermediates, but it’s not a standout.

Now, here’s where things get interesting—and a bit dangerous. Wednesday the 5th of August through Thursday the 6th we get a proper pulse of groundswell. Swell jumps to a solid 10ft from the SSE and S, with a very long period of 16 to 17 seconds. Combined energy is through the roof—hitting 5593 and 5632 (strong to very strong wave energy). *That is a lot of water moving*. The winds are favourable early on Wednesday with a clean cross-off from the NE, and Thursday morning has a gentle cross-off breeze too. But mate, 10ft is too big for this break. This is expert territory only. If you’re not an absolute charger, stay on the sand and watch. The sets will be long, powerful, and hold plenty of punch. Definitely not for beginners or even most intermediates.

Friday the 7th still has some size, 8ft from the S in the morning, but the wind goes cross-on from the SE, turning it into a messy, 8ft choppy mess by the afternoon. Not worth it.

The potential standout of the whole outlook is Saturday the 8th of August. The swell drops to a much more manageable 6ft from the SSW, with a solid 14-second period. Combined energy is still moderate at 1164. The real winner here is the wind—it’s completely glassy in the morning with a slight air from the SSE. That is about as clean as it gets. Conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the window. These waves will have good shape, that long period giving them power, and with no wind, the faces will be smooth as silk. It will be a bit big for beginners, but solid intermediates and up will have a ball. The only downside? Crowds are possible at Kamakura, so expect some company on the peak.

After that, the outlook drops right off. Sunday the 9th gives a tiny 2ft from the SW, and from the 10th onward we are looking at days of nothing—poor surf, low energy (mostly under 200), and sometimes strong onshore winds. There’s a brief moment on Wednesday the 12th of August with a glassy morning and a tiny 2ft SSW swell, but the energy is a weak 75. It’s just not going to happen. That stretch from the 9th through to the 15th is basically a write-off.

My advice: forget everything before Saturday the 8th of August. That Saturday morning with 6ft, 14-second groundswell, and glassy conditions at Kamakura is your one true standout. Be there.

Rusty.

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