Kamakura Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee, and let’s look at what’s coming our way for Kamakura. It’s a quiet start, but there’s a pulse later on that has my attention.

Right now, we’re in a bit of a flat spell. From Thursday the 23rd of July right through to the end of the month, we’re looking at tiny, weak surf. The combined wave energy is mostly a paltry 37 (weak) at best, dropping to single digits some days. Swell heights are barely a ripple – 0.3ft to 1ft. There are some nice glassy mornings mixed in there, like Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th, but honestly, you’ll be fighting for a knee-high bump. The wind is often onshore or cross-on, which just chops up any hope of a rideable wave. This is a solid 10-day dry spell for any serious surfing. Stick to the longboard or just enjoy the beach.

Now, things start to get interesting as we head into the second week of August. You’ll see a real build starting on Sunday the 2nd of August. By the time we get to Monday the 3rd, the combined swell energy climbs into the hundreds and then thousands – hitting a massive 1272 by Monday afternoon. But hold up: the wind is punching straight onshore at 22 mph from the south. That’s going to turn those chest-high (4ft) sets into a bumpy mess. Look elsewhere that day.

The standout window, and I mean the one you should keep your eye on, is Wednesday the 5th of August through to Thursday the 6th of August. Wednesday morning is looking like the pick of the whole forecast. We’ve got a solid 6ft swell from the southeast, with a groundswell period of 16 seconds. That’s proper energy pumping in – the combined energy sits at a very strong 1847. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the east-northeast, which should keep the faces clean. That’s a setup for some well-shaped, powerful waves at Kamakura. This swell is over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners, but for anyone with a bit of experience, Wednesday morning is prime. Thursday morning also looks excellent with similar sized swell (6ft, SE) and a clean cross-offshore breeze from the northeast. Just be aware, that longer period (15-16 seconds) can make the waves lurch and break a bit straight at this exposed beach break, so pick your peak carefully.

Also, take note of the water temp. When we’re talking about Kamakura (Japan), the water is sitting at 81°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s a nice bonus.

The late window on Thursday the 6th of August afternoon holds a 7ft swell with a clean, light cross-offshore breeze – that one will be for the experienced crew only, as it’s over 8ft.

One last thing: Friday the 7th of August looks like a write-off. We’ve got a howling 25-28 mph offshore wind from the north-northeast. While the waves will be clean, that wind is brutal. Paddling out will be a mission, and holding your ground in the lineup will be even harder. Better to watch that one from the sand.

In short: endure the flat spell through July, then circle Wednesday and Thursday, August 5th and 6th. Those are your best shots at some real, quality Kamakura waves.

Rusty.

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