Gomoda (Anan)

Surfing
Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Intermediate to Expert
Skill Level
Ocean, Swell
Spot Type
Quiet
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Gomoda (Anan) is an exposed right-hand reef break on the eastern edge of Shikoku, known for relatively consistent surf when Southeast swells arrive and offshore winds blow from the north-northwest to north. The spot is remote and typically not crowded, making it appealing for surfers who plan around the forecast rather than relying on crowds. Safety is the main consideration: dangerous rips are repeatedly flagged, and reef/rock sections near the shoreline add a high level of consequence to wipeouts. The cape headland can also create strong tidal currents, so conditions should be checked carefully—especially wind direction, since clean/offshore flow is what helps the wave face. Best surf timing centers on autumn, with providers highlighting September through November and emphasizing September–October/October as peak months. Typhoon-driven groundswells can create heavier conditions, but the waves are described as holding up during typhoon swell periods—meaning experienced surfers may still find workable line selection when others will be uncomfortable. For gear and season planning, wetsuits are strongly favored given the water temperature influence from the warm Kuroshio current and colder winter conditions. There is no dedicated on-site rescue reported, so surfers should treat this as a technical, high-risk reef environment and go prepared.

  • Exposed right-hand reef break with offshore grooming from N/NW/NNW winds
  • Works best on Southeast swells, with peak months around September to October
  • Often rarely crowded due to remote coastal access
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Exposed but consistent reef break during the autumn typhoon season
  • Offshore northerly to north-northwesterly winds can groom the waves well
  • Rarely crowded due to remote access
Heads up
  • Dangerous rips and strong currents around the cape
  • Reef hazards and rocks near the shoreline
  • Remote location with limited services
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N, NW, NNW
Offshore directions
NNW, N, NW
Wind Type
Trade — Sources describe offshore northerly/north-northwesterly flow in the main clean windows.
Reliability
fairly consistent
Gust Factor
Steady — Steady pattern reported by providers.
Best Months
October
Shadow Zones
Cape Kamoda headland can create wind shadows depending on the approach angle.

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean, Swell
Beach
Reef — One source specifies reef; another describes mixed composition.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — Medium waves are reported; another source describes the wave power as powerful.
Launch
Small — Beach access located near the Cape Kamoda lighthouse trail.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Launch difficulty described as moderate.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
15–29 °C
Water Temperature
5–32 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan, Feb, Mar: 5/4mm or 4/3mmApr–Nov: 3/2mm or springsuitJun, Jul, Aug: rashguard or shorty
Crowds by Season

Rarely crowded throughout the year due to remote location.

Storm/Rain Season

Typhoon season typically spans August through October.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed right-hand reef break at the eastern tip of Shikoku, working best from Southeast swells with offshore Northerly/NW/NNW winds. Can be challenging around the reef and with strong rips/currents.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
SE
Swell Height
0.5–2 m
Optimal Tide
All tides — All-tides option reported by one provider.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed coastline with no strong shelter from wind or swell.
Wind Effect
Offshore northerly to north-northwesterly winds provide the cleanest grooming; NW/NNW is specifically called out as best.
Bigger Swell
Holds during typhoon groundswells, but can become heavy and challenging on large typhoon swells.
Wave Quality
Average — Wave quality described as average; another provider describes it as good.
Wave Power
Powerful — Powerful surf reported, with some sources describing moderate-to-powerful conditions.
Wave Shape
Mushy — Wave shape reported as mushy by one provider; peeling by another.
Peel Speed
Medium — Peeling wave profile reported.
Ride Length
Medium — Ride length described as medium.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Gomoda (Anan) in the full forecast view.

Gomoda (Anan) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
4–20 ktsGusts 33 kts
Direction
NW311°
Strongest day
Tue, Oct 2720 kts
Windy days
5/712 kts or more
Waves
0.4–1.8 m6s period
Temperature
13–27 °C

Over the next 7 days, Gomoda (Anan) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–20 kts, peaking around 20 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 33 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.4–1.8 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • dangerous rips
  • rocks and reef sections near the shoreline
  • strong tidal currents around the cape headland
  • remote location with limited services
Ability Level: Intermediate to Expert
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitBoots

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguard presence reported.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — Rescue availability is reported as none/no dedicated on-site rescue.
Emergency Info
No dedicated on-site rescue reported; regional emergency response via Japan Coast Guard (118) is indicated. General emergency number in Japan is 119.
Localism / Vibe
None — No specific localism noted for this spot.

Rules of the spot

Experienced surfers only due to reef and rips; match conditions to forecast (especially for offshore NW/NNW flow).

Restrictions
  • Experienced surfers only due to reef and rips
Local Tips
  • Check the wind forecast specifically for Northwest directions to help ensure clean waves.
  • Best swells are typically during the autumn typhoon season (more consistent groundswells).

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Anan
Nearest Town
Anan
Nearest Airport
Tokushima Awaodori Airport (TKS), ~50 km to the north
Parking
Small parking area available at the entrance to the Cape Kamoda scenic area.
Public Transport
Access to more remote coastal areas is very limited by public transport; a rental car is considered essential.
Access
Accessible by car via narrow coastal roads leading to Cape Kamoda.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Japanese
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Accommodation
Nearby town — Limited local guesthouses and minshuku in the wider Anan area.
Food & Drink
Kamoda Onsen nearby offers meals and refreshments.
Equipment Rental:
Rental equipment is scarce at the launches themselves; visitors should coordinate with shops in Tokushima City or Anan for gear.
Gear Storage
Storage facilities are generally not available at beach launches.
Gear Repair
Basic surf and windsurf repairs can be found at specialist shops in Tokushima City or southern surfing hubs.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Cape Kamoda is a scenic, remote coastal area at the easternmost point of Shikoku, commonly mixed into surf trips with local sightseeing.

Best time to visit: Autumn (September to November) for the best balance of outdoor weather and water-sports conditions.
Gomodamisaki Lighthouse0km

Easternmost point of Shikoku, offering panoramic views of the Kii Channel and the Pacific Ocean.

Tsubakidomari Fishing Village5km

Traditional narrow fishing village built on a thin strip of land.

Anan Seafood Markets15km

Local eateries serving fresh Awa seafood.

Anan Science Center18km

Science museum featuring Japan's largest public telescope.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Gomoda (Anan)?

The best overall months at Gomoda (Anan) are September, October, November. The best wind months are October.

Which wind directions work at Gomoda (Anan)?

Gomoda (Anan) works with N, NW, NNW winds. Offshore directions are NNW, N, NW.

What skill level is Gomoda (Anan) suitable for?

Gomoda (Anan) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.