Kamakura Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s size up the surf for Kamakura over the next couple weeks. I’ll level with ya: the first week is a bit of a write-off. We’ve got a real sour stretch from Monday the 24th right through to the end of August. The swell’s there early with a 2-foot SSE groundswell at a long 18 seconds, carrying a fair bit of energy (477 units), but that southerly wind is straight onshore and ruining it. It’s a no-go.

The week then turns to garbage with the wind shifting southwest and whipping up to 18 mph. The swell hangs around a bit but the chop is nasty. By Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th, we’re looking at small, messy waves and cross-onshore junk. Energy drops off fast, down to 99 units by Thursday arvo. The water’s sitting at 81°, which is about bang-on average for late August, so nothing freaky there.

Friday the 28th morning finally gives us a little glimmer of hope. It’s not much, with only 2 feet on the face and a short, weak 9-second period, but for the first time in days we get glassy conditions as the wind goes northerly and light. The energy is barely a pulse at 67 units though. It’s what I’d call a “well, maybe if you’re desperate” window. Then the wind swings back onshore in the arvo and it’s over.

We then enter a proper desert. From Saturday the 29th all the way through to Wednesday the 3rd of September, the days blur into a flat spell with swell barely a ripple, often under 2 feet. The energy readings are pitiful – down in the teens and twenties. There are a few moments of clean cross-offshore wind on the weekend mornings, but there’s just no wave to ride. Honestly, for Kamakura this is a pretty normal late-summer lull.

Now, the strong word for the hopeful. The action picks up around Thursday the 3rd of September. That morning we see 3 feet from the SSW at 13 seconds with a fresh 18 mph NNE breeze blowing offshore. That is clean. By Friday the 4th, we have a consistent 4-foot SSW swell with the same solid 13-14 second period and fresh offshore winds all day. This is the standout period. The energy jumps to 442 units on Thursday arvo. It’s not a huge wave, perfect for beginners and intermediates, but it’s clean and lined up. The swell direction matches up nicely with the optimum from the south, so Kamakura’s banks should be working.

Saturday the 5th still has some life with 3 feet and offshore wind, but the period drops a touch. The big winner is undoubtedly Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September. Get on it. It won’t last.

You miss that window, and it dies again into Sunday the 6th with a howling 28 mph southerly and just onshore slop. The very end of the outlook, Monday the 8th of September afternoon, shows a glimmer of another clean 3-foot SSW swell with 12 seconds and offshore winds. That’s one to keep an eye on, but it’s a fair way out.

So, bottom line: don’t bother this week. Aim for Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th. That’s your shot.

- Rusty

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