Takegashima Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The next couple of weeks are a real mixed bag here, with a long flat spell to start, but a serious pulse of energy building for the back half. We’re only looking at one spot on the menu: Takegashima. It’s an advanced reef break, and it’s exposed to the east, so the direction matters here, especially when that long-period groundswell shows up.

The window kicks off on the 13th of September with a bit of a tease. Sunday morning we’ve got glassy conditions and a tiny 2 feet swell from the ESE at 9 seconds. The combined energy is weak, only 74, so it’s not doing much. This is really just something to wet your line on, not a session to write home about. This kind of small, ordinary surf hangs around through the 14th and into the 15th, with the wind mostly light and sometimes glassy, but the swell stays small and weak. Mid-week takes a dip; the 15th afternoon goes glassy, but the swell is still under 4 feet and the energy is just moderate at around 200. Not great.

Then we hit a real lull. From the 16th through the 18th, it’s mostly poor surf conditions with choppy, onshore winds and tiny waves. You’re better off waiting.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The 19th of September – that's a Saturday – sees the start of a big change. Swell jumps to 13 feet from the SE, with a very long period of 16 seconds. The combined energy rockets up to 7523, which is really strong. The problem is the wind. It’s onshore in the morning, and cross-onshore in the afternoon, so expect some bump on the face. The forecast notes say marginal surf conditions, but the size is real. This is for advanced crew only; 13 feet is expert territory. The long period means those waves will have a lot of punch, but at a reef like Takegashima, that long-period SE groundswell can line up nicely.

The real standout, though, is Monday the 21st of September. This is the best on offer. Early morning we’ve got 20 feet of swell from the SE, with a 14-second period and glassy conditions. The wind is light from the SW, so it’s offshore for this break. The combined energy is massive at 14913. The forecast literally calls it exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers. This is a serious, serious swell. The size is well over 8 feet, so only for the skilled crowd. It will be big, clean, and powerful. The water temperature is around 82°F, which is about average for the time of year.

By the afternoon of the 21st, the swell drops to 10 feet, still clean with offshore wind, but the peak of that pulse is the morning session.

After that, it falls apart quickly. The 22nd brings strong onshore winds, and from the 23rd to the 24th we’ve got howling cross-shore winds and tiny swell. Then the 25th and 26th of September offer a second, smaller pulse: 7 feet to 12 feet, long period, and clean to glassy conditions. That Saturday the 26th morning is another highlight, with 12 feet and completely glassy. Excellent for experienced surfers, with energy levels around 3594.

Takegashima can get crowded sometimes, so on those bigger, cleaner days, expect some company.

So, if you’re an advanced surfer, circle the 21st of September early morning. That's the one. The 26th is a solid backup.

Rusty.

Read more