
Surf Forecasts:
Sakawa River surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, SW swell with 51 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Sakawa River this week:
The surf forecast for Sakawa River over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Sakawa River in the next 16 days are 0.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (JST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sakawa River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s be straight about the Sakawa River – it’s a rough outlook for the next couple of weeks.
For the first week, from now through July 26th, it’s basically a bust. We’re looking at tiny, weak swells, mostly under 2ft, with mediocre cross-onshore winds. The energy is pathetic, barely cracking 80 (combined energy of all swells directed here). There are a few glassy moments early on July 20th and 21st, but the swell is so small – 1ft – it’s barely a ripple. You’d be better off swimming. The water temp is sitting at 78°, which is about average for this time of year, so that’s not the issue.
The first faint glimmer of hope comes on Sunday, July 26th. The morning shows a slight uptick, with 2ft from the SE and a light cross-offshore breeze from the NNE. That's actually clean. The energy is still low (95), but for a river break, it’s surfable in a very ordinary way. It’s not going to be a standout, but it’s the first thing worth paddling for.
Then, a real shift. From Monday, July 27th, we see a major pulse of south swell. The morning of the 27th brings 3ft from the S with a period of 16 seconds – that’s long-period groundswell, and the energy jumps to 595. By the afternoon, it’s 6ft, and by Tuesday, July 28th, it’s up to 10ft, with a 13-second period. The energy is screaming (3471). The wind is light and cross-shore, which is clean. This is the window.
However, there’s a big caveat. By Tuesday afternoon, July 28th, the swell hits 12ft and the period stretches to 17 seconds. That’s an absolute monster. That’s over 8ft, so it’s expert territory only. The problem is that the wind is also forecast to be cross-onshore, and the swell is just too big for this river break. The forecast says it's too big for this spot. It’s the same story on Wednesday, July 29th: 23ft swell with 17-second period. That’s not just big, that’s dangerous and onshore. That’s more of a kiteboarding setup than a paddle session.
The swell drops back to 8ft on Thursday, July 30th, and the energy is 1175. The wind is cross-shore, making it the best-looking day of the whole run. The swell is from the S at 8ft, which is a solid, heavy wave for intermediate to advanced surfers. The long period (10 seconds) will give it shape, but it might be a bit straight for a beach setup. It’s the best on offer, but it’s still a marginal call.
After that, it fades. Friday, July 31st, is 6ft but with a messy onshore breeze, and by the start of August, it’s back to small, weak, and choppy.
The standout: Without a doubt, Thursday, July 30th is the pick. The 8ft south swell (10-second period) with light cross-shore wind gives the best chance of a clean, powerful wave. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only time the size, wind, and energy all line up for a proper session. The crowd situation at Sakawa River is a worry – it can get crowded, so be ready for that.
The promise: Monday, July 27th morning is a worthy mention. The 3ft swell with 16-second period is tiny, but that long-period groundswell will give it great shape, and the light wind makes it the most user-friendly option for the whole period. A good one for a longboard.
Overall, the first week is a flat dud, the second week has a massive, dangerous spike, and then a window around the 30th. It’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it. Forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 8 | SE 7 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 4 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SW 6 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 18 | SE 18 | SE 11 | SE 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
44 | 31 | 31 | 21 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 23 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 51 | 16 | 25 | 49 | 49 | 18 | 41 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 7:58PM1.42m | 7:26AM1.35m | 8:23PM1.41m | 8:21AM1.23m | 8:47PM1.39m | 9:26AM1.10m | 9:12PM1.37m | 10:59AM1.02m | 9:42PM1.35m | 1:52PM1.02m | 10:23PM1.31m | 4:25PM1.11m | 11:26PM1.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:45AM0.69m | 1:50PM0.42m | 2:33AM0.63m | 2:19PM0.59m | 3:26AM0.59m | 2:44PM0.76m | 4:27AM0.55m | 3:05PM0.90m | 5:40AM0.52m | 3:15PM1.02m | 6:57AM0.47m | 5:07PM1.11m | ||||||||
— | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:45 | — | — | |
6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 16 |
Temp °C | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 31 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 35 | 35 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 8 | SSW 4 | ESE 11 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | ESE 4 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
14 | 31 | 29 | 21 | 19 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 24 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 18 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 23 | 18 | 40 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 11 | SSW 4 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 7 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 18 | ESE 5 | SE 16 |
2 | 31 | 31 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 23 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 11 | 16 | 25 | 25 | 49 | 2 | 41 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 8 | SE 8 | E 11 | E 10 | SSE 8 | S 6 | ESE 11 | E 10 | E 5 | SE 18 | ESE 5 | SSE 9 | ESE 4 |
7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 49 | 3 | 8 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | — | SSE 7 | S 3 | SW 3 | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | W 3 | SSW 4 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 6 | NE 3 | E 3 | — | E 3 | E 5 | ESE 4 |
44 | — | 20 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 51 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 11 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 818 | 58 | 108 | 68 | 67 | 67 | 115 | 68 | 68 | 115 | 68 | 68 | 1399 | 0 | 111 | 249 | 73 | 50 | 50 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Kanagawa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Sakawa River Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Sakawa River provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Sakawa River can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Sakawa River surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Sakawa River) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Sakawa River may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Sakawa River is 2 km (1 miles) from Odawara. If you plan a holiday in Kanagawa, look for hotels and other accommodation in Odawara. Odawara has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










