Takegashima Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s cooking here. We’re talkin’ about Takegashima, a reef setup that only the advanced crew should be eyeing up. The water’s sitting at 81°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year – nothing to write home about there.

For the first week, it’s a bit of a slow burner, to be honest. From Friday the 17th all the way through to Thursday the 24th, we’re looking at tiny, weak waves. We’re talking 1.0 ft to 2 ft from the ESE or SE, with periods hanging around 9 to 11 seconds. The combined energy never gets out of the double digits, sitting at mostly 26 to 91 – that’s barely a ripple. Some mornings are glassy, which is a tease, but the surf is just too small to bother with. It’s a real scratch-and-sniff period.

Then we get a little lift on Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th. Still small at 1.0 ft to 1 ft, but the period jumps to 16 to 18 seconds – proper long-period groundswell. The energy climbs into the 130s, so there’s a bit more life, but it’s still “surfable but ordinary.” On a reef like this, that long period could make it a bit too straight, so I’d keep the expectations low.

Now, Sunday the 26th of July is where things start to wake up. The morning brings 3 ft from the SE with a 14-second period, and glassy conditions. The combined energy hits 374 – that’s moderate. The afternoon gets even better: 3 ft but with a 16-second period, clean cross-off wind, and the energy jumps to 610. This is a solid, fun day for the experienced surfer.

But the real standout? You’ve got to lock in for Monday the 27th of July through to Thursday the 30th. This is the main event. Monday morning serves up 8 ft from the SSE, 13-second period, clean cross-off wind, and a beefy combined energy of 1921. That’s strong. Monday afternoon pushes to 8 ft with a proper offshore wind from the SSW – clean as a whistle – and energy at 2340. Tuesday the 28th holds steady with 8 ft to 8 ft, and Wednesday the 29th is the top dog: 12 ft from the S, 15 to 16-second period, with offshore winds and energy values hitting 5376 and 5790. That is exceptional. Thursday the 30th is the biggest of the lot: 13 ft from the S, 16-second period, clean with light breeze, and energy at 7062. These waves are for experts only – anything over 8 ft is too meaty for the rest of us.

After that, it drops off a cliff. Friday the 31st of July shows 6 ft to 8 ft, but the period crashes to 7 to 8 seconds, which is short and wonky. The energy is still decent at 290 to 696, but it’s messy. Then into the first of August, it’s 7 ft from the SE with an 8-second period – marginal and cross-shore. Not worth the paddle.

Best on offer: Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th of July. Big, powerful, clean S swell with offshore winds. That’s the one for the charge crew. Don’t bother before the 26th.

Rusty.

Read more