Shichirigahama Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the Shichigahama area.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a flat spell. The first week is a total write-off for surfing—nothing but tiny, weak swell and poor conditions. We’re talking about a solid stretch from Wednesday the 29th of July right through until Sunday the 2nd of August where you'd be better off taking the gear out for a wax job than getting wet. The waves are barely a bump, and the wind’s got them all messed up. It’s a long, dry gap with no recommendations at all.

Things finally start to look up on Monday the 3rd of August. We get a pulse of groundswell arriving from the SE, with period jumping to a very long 18 seconds. That’s proper energy, with combined swell energy readings climbing into the 500s to 690 – that’s moderate energy for sure. Swell heights start around 3 ft in the morning, building to about 4 ft in the afternoon. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NE, keeping the surface clean. This is your first real chance to paddle out, and for a river break like Shichirigahama, that long-period groundswell is perfect – it’ll wrap in and produce some proper lines. It’s an inconsistent spot, so don’t expect set after set, but when they come through, they’ll be worth the wait. Water temps are a touch warmer than normal at 81°, so a spring suit is all you need.

Now, Tuesday the 4th of August is the standout of this whole forecast. The swell jumps to about 6 ft in the morning from the SE with that same long 17-second period, and the wind turns offshore from the NE at 12 mph. The combined energy hits a strong 1722 – this is the real deal, clean, lined-up surf. Afternoon gets a little bigger to about 7 ft but the wind shifts to cross-offshore, so the quality is still there, though the tide may get a bit funky. This is the day for experienced surfers to point the van at Shichirigahama.

Wednesday the 5th of August goes big. Swell pumps to about 12 ft from the SSE with a 17-second period. The energy is off the charts at 7266. This is expert territory only—way too much for beginners. The offshore wind is fresh from the NNE at 19 mph, so it'll be clean but mighty. This kind of size at a river mouth can get super heavy and the rip will be strong. Only paddle out if you know what you’re doing.

Thursday the 6th drops just a tick to about 10 ft from the S, still with a 14-second period and moderate offshore winds in the morning. Still a powerful, heavy day. The afternoon gets tricky with a cross-shore wind from the ESE making things choppier.

By Friday the 7th, the swell drops to a more manageable 5 ft from the SSW, but with thunderstorms about and a cross-shore wind, things will be messy. After that, the surf tapers off through the weekend and into the next week with poor, small conditions returning.

Looking way out to Thursday the 13th of August, we see another pulse of about 8 ft swell coming from the SSE with a 12-second period and a fresh offshore wind from the NNE. The combined energy is strong again at 2181. This is a promising long-range call, but less certain this far out. If it stacks up, it’ll be another day for the experienced crew at Shichirigahama.

Your best bets: Monday the 3rd for a warm-up with clean, long-period waves, and Tuesday the 4th is the absolute highlight—bigger, cleaner, stronger. After that, it’s experts only on Wednesday and Thursday, and then a gamble on the 13th.

Rusty.

Read more