Takegashima Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, checkin’ in from the coast.

Alright, let’s be straight up – the next sixteen days are a bit of a mixed bag for Takegashima. The first week is pretty flat and ordinary, but there’s a window of proper, solid groundswell that’s gonna make it all worthwhile for the crew who can handle themselves. The water’s a touch warmer than normal right now at 85°, so you can leave the thick steamer at home.

Kicking off Monday the 31st of August, it’s tiny. We’re looking at a weak 1ft swell from the SE with a short period, and a light offshore wind, but the wave comment tells me it’s poor. That sets the tone for the next few days – small, weak, and not worth paddling out for. The combined swell energy is barely a whisper (27), and the waves are just not doing anything. Tuesday the 1st of September sees a glassy morning with a 1ft ESE swell, and while it’s surfable, it’s very ordinary. The energy picks up a little (114) but you’d be fighting for scraps.

Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd see the swell start to build a bit, with 4ft to 4ft from the SSE, and the energy gets into the moderate range (268 to 337). Thursday morning is glassy and clean, and the wave comment says ‘expect good surf conditions’. This is probably the pick of the first week – a fun, clean bank with 4ft and light winds. Nothing huge, but a nice little window.

Then Friday the 4th through Sunday the 6th get messy. Heavy rain and onshore winds kick in, with swell bumping up to 6ft to 7ft but the wind is on it and choppy. The energy jumps up (641 to 853), but with the wind direction from the north and northeast, it’s not gonna be pretty. Saturday is a complete write-off with strong onshore winds and tiny swell.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 7th of September is the real standout. We get a clean, glassy morning with a solid 10ft swell straight out of the east, with a 10-second period. The combined energy is a massive 3436, which is strong to very strong. The wave comment says ‘excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers’ – and they mean it. This is a serious, powerful swell. By the afternoon it’s even bigger at 12ft with an 11-second period and energy of 4544. This is a big, long-period easterly groundswell hitting an exposed reef break. The wind is glassy both sessions. This is for experts only – over 8ft and it’s a beast. The optimum swell direction from the guidance is east, and that’s exactly what we’re getting. This is the true highlight of the whole outlook.

Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th still have plenty of size (6ft to 7ft) but they’re compromised by onshore winds from the northeast, making for messy conditions. The energy is still high (1004 to 1313), but the wind state is ‘unknown’ or cross-onshore, so you’d be battling chop. Worth a look on the smaller end if you’re desperate, but not the clean session you’d hope for after that Monday.

Thursday the 10th drops off a bit, still 6ft to 8ft but with more onshore wind. The real trouble hits from Friday the 11th through the 12th when a risk of thunderstorms brings fresh easterly winds of 15 to 19 mph, turning that 10ft swell into a lumpy, choppy mess. Not worth it.

From Sunday the 13th onward, the swell fades right back down to under 3ft, with onshore winds and very poor conditions. The energy drops off a cliff, and there’s nothing to recommend. The blank run from the 13th through to the end of the outlook is a long, quiet stretch.

So, bottom line: if you’re an experienced surfer, circle Monday the 7th of September in your diary. That glassy, powerful 10ft to 12ft easterly groundswell at Takegashima is the one to chase. Everything else in the first week is small and ordinary, and whatever comes after the 7th is chewed up by wind. The reef will handle the long-period energy well, so it should be proper, bowling walls. Just know it’s advanced territory.

Rusty.

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