Shichirigahama Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at the surf window for Shichigahama, or more specifically Shichirigahama (Japan) – a river mouth set-up that’s got a bit of character, but it’s been a tough stretch.

Right off the bat, the first week is a write-off. From Saturday the 25th of July right through to the end of the month, it’s flat and frustrating. Tiny waves, mostly 0.7ft to 1ft, mixed with onshore breezes and barely any energy. The combined swell energy is in the weak range (sometimes as low as 8 to 48), so you’re looking at a real drought. It’s the kind of spell where the board stays in the car. This spot is inconsistent at the best of times, and this run proves it. There’s a three-day stretch from the 25th to the 27th where it’s just not worth paddling out.

Things start to stir early in the new week. Monday the 3rd of August sees a pulse of 2ft to 2ft swell from the southeast with a 15-second period – that’s a long period groundswell – and solid moderate wave energy (128). The wind is cross-offshore out of the northeast, which keeps it clean, but the size is still small for this set-up. It’s not until Tuesday the 4th of August that we get a real nudge: 2ft to 2ft from the east-southeast, with a 16-second period and combined energy climbing to 281 (moderate). The wind stays cross-offshore, so the waves look clean but still on the small side. The water temp is sitting at 81°F with a positive anomaly of 1°F – so slightly warmer than average for this time of year, which is nice for the skin but not doing much for the swell.

Now, the standout – and I mean the *standout* – is the morning of Saturday the 8th of August. This is where we finally get some grunt. A clean 4ft swell from the south-southwest, with a very long 16-second period. The combined wave energy jumps to 817 (strong), and the wind is glassy out of the east-northeast. That’s as good as it gets for this break. The waves should have real shape and power, but remember it’s a river mouth, so that long-period swell might break a bit straight at times. Still, if you’re an intermediate or above, this is the session to chase. It’s not too big for most, but at 4ft and with that period, it’s going to be fun and clean.

The following morning, Sunday the 9th of August, pushes into bigger territory: 8ft from the south-southwest, same 16-second period, and combined energy at a whopping 2664 (very strong). That’s expert-level size. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the east-northeast, so the face will be clean, but this is not for beginners – at over 8ft it’s only for the experienced crew. The afternoon sees it nudge to 8ft with a slight cross-onshore, so the morning is the pick, but only if you’ve got the skills.

Overall, the first week is a dud. The second week builds slowly, with the real pay-off coming on the 8th and 9th of August. Don’t get your hopes up for consistency – this spot takes its time. But when it fires, it’s worth the wait.

Rusty.

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