Hayama Cliffs (Yokosuka)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Hayama Cliffs is an exposed beach break on the Hayama coast that only works intermittently. Sources describe it as generally staying small and producing poor wave quality most of the time, with many sessions either too small or blown out by less favorable wind directions. The spot’s best chance comes when a southwest swell is present and winds turn north to north-northeast (offshore). In March in particular, clean surfable waves are reported to be exceptionally rare, even though the period can offer some of the best overall windows for finding working conditions. Because the break is exposed and rocky, safety is a key concern. Rocks are listed as a hazard both on the beach and as submerged obstacles near the cliffs; if swell size is too large or the waves get messy, conditions can become dangerous around the rock zones. It’s also noted as rarely crowded due to its finicky nature, which can make it a calmer option—but only for surfers willing to wait for the correct alignment and comfortable navigating an inconsistent, short-ride beach-break.
- Exposed beach break with very limited clean-wave windows
- Best setup described as southwest swell with north/northeast offshore wind
- Rocks/submerged hazards make alignment and caution important
- Quiet/rarely crowded when it’s working.
- When the setup aligns (southwest swell with north/northeast offshore wind), it can produce surfable beach-break waves despite frequent poor quality overall.
- Very inconsistent surf; clean-wave windows can be extremely limited (reported ~1% clean in March).
- Waves are often too small or quickly blown out when wind/tide/swell alignment is off.
- Rocks and submerged obstacles make mistakes higher risk, especially as swell size increases.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE
- No-go directions
- E, ENE, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — North to northeast winds tied to frontal conditions; sources describe the spot as needing specific alignment (including typhoon-related swell in some seasons).
- Reliability
- Low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Described as moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- March, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs provide some shelter from north/northeast winds, which can help groom the swell.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition reported.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Generally small; waves often too small to surf.
- Launch
- Medium — A narrow sandy beach area near prominent cliffs and rock formations.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Narrow sandy launch area near cliffs; rocks/submerged hazards increase practical difficulty.
Through the year
Rarely crowded due to low wave consistency.
June and July are the typical rainy season (Tsuyu); typhoon season typically runs from August through October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed, highly inconsistent beach break that usually stays small and works only intermittently. Clean waves are reported as very rare in March (about 1% clean-wave time), with many days too small or blown out. A solid southwest swell is needed to begin working.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Sources describe the spot as working across all tides.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Exposed break overall, with cliffs providing some shelter and helping groom the swell under the right wind.
- Wind Effect
- Best with north-northeast offshore wind; onshore or cross-onshore winds can blow out the faces. North and northeast winds are described as offshore and can create cleaner faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and dangerous when swell is too large due to rocks and submerged obstacles.
- Wave Quality
- Poor — Poor quality overall due to size, inconsistency, and frequent closeout.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Generally weak conditions; sources repeatedly describe the break as small/inconsistent with poor quality.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Often mixed; closeout behavior is common when waves are not perfectly aligned.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Described as mixed with medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Ride length is generally short and waves often close out quickly.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves are generally short and close out quickly unless conditions are perfectly aligned; surf is described as working once in a while with most waves too small.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Hayama Cliffs (Yokosuka) in the full forecast view.
Hayama Cliffs (Yokosuka) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–17 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- N8°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2517 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.5 m7s period
- Temperature
- 13–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Hayama Cliffs (Yokosuka) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.4–1.5 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
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
- Rocks
- Inconsistent waves
- Submerged obstacles
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported for this spot; lifeguard coverage is described as seasonal at major beaches.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is listed as no for the spot.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Rarely crowded; sources note a few locals may be present when it works.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the few locals who may be out when it is working.
- Avoid launching if conditions are misaligned—this break is described as very inconsistent and often blown out or too small.
- Check the forecast for southwest swells and north/northeast winds.
- For a better view of conditions, use a nearby high vantage point (Tateishi Park).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Yokosuka
- Nearest Town
- Hayama
- Parking
- Parking is available at Tateishi Park, though it fills up quickly on weekends.
- Public Transport
- Regular bus services connect the coast to JR Zushi Station and Keikyu Zushi-Hayama Station, with access onward from Tokyo and Yokohama.
- Access
- Accessible via Route 134; the spot is located near Tateishi Park.
- Local Language
- Japanese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation is available in Yokosuka and Hayama, ranging from boutique hotels and minshuku (traditional guesthouses) to luxury vacation rentals.
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and small restaurants are located along Route 134 near the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Extensive rental options are available in the Hayama/Yokosuka area via marine sports clubs and operators.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Hayama/Yokosuka coastline pairs scenic seaside viewpoints and marine culture with a mix of shrines and coastal history sites.
A hub for sailing and luxury yachts, featuring shopping and waterfront dining options.
A residence for the Japanese Imperial Family, known for its beautiful surrounding gardens and historical significance.
A network of trails offering panoramic views of Sagami Bay and the Miura Peninsula.
A pudding shop and cafe with views of the coastline.
Regularly voted one of the best beaches in Japan, ideal for swimming and family picnics.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Hayama Cliffs (Yokosuka)?
The best overall months at Hayama Cliffs (Yokosuka) are March, October, September. The best wind months are March, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Hayama Cliffs (Yokosuka)?
Hayama Cliffs (Yokosuka) works with N, NNE, NE winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE. No-go directions are E, ENE, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.
What skill level is Hayama Cliffs (Yokosuka) suitable for?
Hayama Cliffs (Yokosuka) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.