Ikuragahama
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ikuragahama is a wide sandy beachbreak near Hyuga, known for regular surf and an easy, instant-entry setup from the access area. The beach offers both left and right waves and is generally approachable for a range of surfers, with the southern end commonly reported as smaller and more manageable for learners. Wave quality is described as good, with the spot starting to work from around 0.3 m (and improving as swell builds). On better days, rides are typically reported around 50 to 150 meters, while some sources describe the most common ride lengths as short-to-normal depending on conditions. The wave shape is often described as peeling/mixed, and the break remains functional through a broad swell window, holding up to around 2 m+. For wind, the most favorable setup is offshore flow from the Northwest (and West), which helps groom the waves into cleaner faces. The spot’s best conditions are repeatedly tied to a solid Southeast swell during autumn months, with September through November highlighted as particularly strong. Wind is also described as having low reliability overall, so checking on-the-day conditions is important. Safety-wise, surf can involve hazards including reef/rocks and strong rip currents, and lifeguard coverage is described as seasonal. Many surfers prefer low to mid tide, and conditions may change after heavy storms or typhoons—so it’s worth checking sandbar and peak structure before committing for a session. Parking and basic facilities (toilets and showers) are reported on-site, supporting an easy day at the beach.
- Offshore Northwest winds tend to groom clean faces
- Both left and right beachbreak peaks
- Large sandy beach with extensive free parking
- Good wave quality and functional swell range from small to ~2 m+
- Wide sandy beach with easy car access and instant entry
- Regular beachbreak with both left and right waves
- Generally good wave quality with rides often in the 50–150 m range on better days
- Offshore NW winds help keep wave faces clean
- Can see strong rip currents and scattered submerged rocks
- Crowds can build on summer weekends and public holidays
- Wind reliability is described as low
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, W
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Seasonal/afternoon sea-breeze pattern mentioned for the area; NW offshore winds help keep faces clean.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Reported as light-gusts; one source also describes steady gust behavior.
- Best Months
- September, October, November
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Dir: E, SSE, SE · Moderate-afternoon sea-breeze pattern is mentioned.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition reported.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Also described as starting from less than 1 m and holding to 2 m+.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with easy access and instant entry.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy access and easy entry from the car park area.
Through the year
Highest during summer weekends and public holidays; much quieter on weekdays and during winter.
Rainy season is June to July; typhoon season is August to October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A regular beachbreak offering both left and right waves, generally suitable for a wide range of surfers. The southern end is reported to be smaller and more manageable, while other areas can offer more size and speed.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, SSE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.3–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works across all tides, but many surfers prefer low to mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Reported as exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest and West winds are reported to groom the waves into clean faces; NW offshore winds are especially helpful.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds well up to about 2 m+; can close out during very large typhoon swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is consistently described as good.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Also described as moderate in another provider’s detail set.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Also described as peeling on good days.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — One source describes short rides; another notes rides can be 50–150 m on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are described as short, with better days producing normal-length rides (around 50–150 m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ikuragahama in the full forecast view.
Ikuragahama wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- SSW205°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2410 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–2.5 m7s period
- Temperature
- 12–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ikuragahama is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.6–2.5 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
- reef
- strong-rip-currents-common
- scattered submerged rocks
- scattered-rocks
- strong rip currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard presence is described as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Maritime rescue is available via Japan Coast Guard services (118).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism is described as mild.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local surfers and designated swimming areas during summer peaks.
- No motorized watercraft
- Best conditions occur with offshore winds from the Northwest and a solid Southeast swell during the autumn months.
- The southern end is usually smaller and more manageable (often a friendlier option for beginners).
- Many surfers prefer low to mid tide.
- Check sandbar conditions as they can shift after heavy storms or typhoons.
- The northern end of the beach often has more defined peaks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hyuga
- Nearest Town
- Kawaminami
- Parking
- Large free parking lot directly at the beach access point (reported to accommodate over 400 vehicles).
- Access
- Best reached by car; large free parking is reported at the beach access point.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Japanese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and small hotels are available in Kawaminami and Hyuga City.
- Food & Drink
- Local convenience stores and small restaurants are available within a short drive.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ikuragahama?
The best overall months at Ikuragahama are September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Ikuragahama?
Ikuragahama works with NW, W winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Ikuragahama suitable for?
Ikuragahama suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.