Irita Hama (Shimoda)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Irita Hama is a Shimoda beach break with a sandy bottom and clear water that’s known for producing both left and right waves. Multiple sources describe it as a regular, setup-friendly sandbar-style surf spot that typically starts working around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold bigger sets up to roughly 2 m+. The beach is described as fairly exposed, with peaks that can be clean/groomed when wind aligns—North-West to North winds are often described as working well (offshore/cleaning). Surf is reported to offer typical rides in the 50 to 150 meter range on normal days, with good days often bringing longer runs. Safety considerations are a key part of planning here. Rocks are present at the ends of the beach and in/near the surf area, and rip currents have been reported—especially near rocky headlands. Crowding is another major factor: weekends and summer holidays can get very busy, and summer peak hours can include strict swimming-zone enforcement that may restrict where surfing is allowed. For visitors, access and parking can be the practical bottleneck. The approach involves a very small road (as you pass Tadado beach and a Panchinco casino), and parking is hard to find/limited—so arriving very early is consistently recommended, especially on weekends.
- Crystal-clear water and good wave quality
- Left and right peaks from a sand-bottom beach break
- Rides commonly reported around 50 to 150 meters
- Accessible but parking can be difficult
- Clean/crystal-clear water reported
- Reliable left and right beach-break style surf
- Works from about 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to around 2 m+
- Easy launch/entry described
- Rocks in and around the surf area
- Rip currents reported near rocky headlands
- Can become ultra crowded on weekends and summer holidays
- Parking is hard to find; access road can be narrow
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW, N
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Sources describe a mixed wind regime; summer afternoons often see light sea-breeze conditions.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Wind gusts described as light; another source classifies gusts as moderate.
- Best Months
- August, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Surrounding hills provide some protection from strong westerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Reported as medium-sized surf with a typical working range starting around 1.0–1.5 m.
- Launch
- Small — Direct beach access with a short walk from the bus stop; entry described as easy. Parking access is limited.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy launch/entry described; access is straightforward from the beach.
Through the year
Extremely crowded on weekends and summer holidays; quieter during winter weekdays.
June to early July (monsoon); August to October (typhoon season).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A sand-bottom beach break with right-and-left waves. Clear, consistent peaks are reported, with fun peeling waves when wind and swell align.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, S, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works on all tides; rising and falling tides are noted.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Fairly exposed beach break; surrounding hills can reduce stronger westerly winds.
- Wind Effect
- North-West to North winds are described as offshore/cleaning, producing groomed conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Reported to hold surf up to 2 meters or more (and can handle larger swells before closing out).
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described as good wave quality; crystal-clear water is also reported.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power described as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Sources describe mixed-to-peeling wave character depending on conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Described with medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal rides reported in the 50 to 150 meter range; good days often offer longer runs.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides are reported as 50 to 150 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Irita Hama (Shimoda) in the full forecast view.
Irita Hama (Shimoda) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–13 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- NE56°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.4 m7s period
- Temperature
- 14–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Irita Hama (Shimoda) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.9–2.4 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 (present at the ends of the beach and in the surf area)
- Rip currents (especially near rocky headlands)
- Heavy crowds during weekends and summer holidays
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Professional lifeguards active during the official summer beach season; otherwise rescue is handled with limited availability.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited; emergency/life-saving services vary by season.
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguards typically present only during peak summer months; rescue availability is limited.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — One note suggests the beach can feel very local.
Rules of the spot
Designated swimming zones are strictly enforced during the summer peak season; surfing can be restricted to certain zones during peak summer swimming hours.
- Dogs allowed on leash.
- Swimming-zone enforcement in summer peak hours may restrict surf access to designated areas.
- Arrive very early on weekends to secure parking.
- Road access is narrow—drive carefully.
- Use extra care when the beach is crowded.
- Access is via a very small road as you pass Tadado beach and see a Panchinco casino; parking is hard to find.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Shimoda
- Nearest Town
- Shimoda
- Parking
- Limited parking; recommended to arrive early. Parking can be hard to find and becomes very crowded/expensive in summer.
- Public Transport
- Local bus service from Shimoda (Izukyu-Shimoda Station area connections noted regionally); followed by a short walk or short taxi to coastal coves.
- Access
- Accessible via local bus from Shimoda; beach is a short walk from the bus stop. Road access exists but parking/road access can be limited due to a very narrow approach road.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Japanese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Several guesthouses and small hotels are within walking distance; accommodation is also described as very close to the beach.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and summer-season food vendors are mentioned nearby; local cafes and restaurants available in the broader Kisami and Shimoda areas.
- Equipment Rental:
- Some local surf shops in the Shimoda area provide rentals; surf-specific rental details are otherwise unconfirmed at the beach itself.
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 Irita Hama (Shimoda)?
The best overall months at Irita Hama (Shimoda) are August, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Irita Hama (Shimoda)?
Irita Hama (Shimoda) works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW, N.
What skill level is Irita Hama (Shimoda) suitable for?
Irita Hama (Shimoda) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.