Koigaoura (Kushima)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Koigaoura is an easy-access beach-break on the east-facing Kushima coast, known for consistent, beginner-friendly surf. Waves are commonly described as fun/powerless, with good wave quality and both left and right directions available. Most sessions are centered on small-to-moderate swell: one set of descriptions highlights working conditions starting under 1 meter and holding into the 2 meter+ range, while another gives a practical working window around 0.5–2.0 meters. The wave shape is regularly reported as peeling, and on better days rides can extend well beyond a couple turns. From a seasonal perspective, autumn is repeatedly flagged as prime, with September to October emphasized as especially good for conditions. Typhoon-season swell risk is also part of the story—while it can bring consistent surf, it increases the likelihood of storms and rough weather, so planning around forecasts matters. Safety-wise, treat the shore as having real hazards: reef/rocks near the shoreline are noted, and rip currents can develop during larger swells. Weekend crowds can rise, even if overall crowding is typically low; if you go, check the rock layout at low tide and be ready for stronger currents when swell size increases.
- Consistent beach-break surf
- Beginner-friendly waves (good for learning)
- Very high water clarity reported
- Prime conditions in autumn
- Very consistent beach-break surfing with both left and right waves.
- Typically good, fun/powerless surf for beginners; regularly works from small swells.
- Water clarity is reported as very high/exceptionally clear.
- Wind reliability can be low and hills can affect winds (especially when winds are light).
- Rocks near the shore and rip current risk can appear during larger swells.
- Conditions can get busier on weekend periods and public holidays.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, NW
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sources describe typical winds as sea-breeze influenced for the area; spot-level wind reliability varies.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Spot-level sources describe light gusts.
- Best Months
- September, October, August
- Shadow Zones
- Surrounding hills can block or swirl light winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with some rocky outcrops at the ends.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Spot-level descriptions range from small to medium; works from under 1m and can build beyond 2m+.
- Launch
- Small — Instant access by foot (typically within 5 minutes); sandy launch with limited obstacles.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Higher during summer weekends and public holidays; otherwise generally low.
June to October; rainy season in June–July and typhoon season in August–October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fun, powerless, consistent beach-break with left and right waves (beginner-friendly). Works from small swells and can hold up to around 2 meters (and more on bigger days), with good wave quality.
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, All tides — One source prefers mid tide; another indicates conditions across all tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open coast exposure on the east-facing side; can close out on larger swells.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore winds from the West or Northwest; weaker wind can still allow surf depending on swell.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but may start to close out above about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality reported; consistently rideable.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Often described as fun/powerless; can build on bigger swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling/consistent peaks reported.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Spot-level sources describe short, with some reports of longer rides on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Sources range from 1–3 turn waves to longer 50–100 meter rides on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Koigaoura (Kushima) in the full forecast view.
Koigaoura (Kushima) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–13 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- SSW201°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2413 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.9 m7s period
- Temperature
- 13–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Koigaoura (Kushima) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.8–2.9 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
- rocks near the shore
- rip currents
- weekend crowds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — Sources conflict: one indicates seasonal lifeguard presence, another indicates none.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level sources indicate no rescue availability, while the regional context describes limited rescue coverage.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 119.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Sources indicate no major issues with local surfers, but visitors should still be respectful.
Rules of the spot
Priority rules apply; respect the locals and the environment.
- Check the rocks at low tide to understand the underwater layout.
- Crowds are low overall; expect more people on weekends (and more during typhoon-season conditions).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kushima
- Nearest Town
- Kushima
- Parking
- Car parking available near the beach (some may have fees during peak season).
- Access
- Take a car; instant access (< 5 min walking distance).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Japanese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — A few traditional guesthouses (minshuku) and small inns are located nearby.
- Food & Drink
- Vending machines are available; limited cafes are found nearby. A bar is also noted by one source.
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 Koigaoura (Kushima)?
The best overall months at Koigaoura (Kushima) are September, October, August.
Which wind directions work at Koigaoura (Kushima)?
Koigaoura (Kushima) works with W, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, NW.
What skill level is Koigaoura (Kushima) suitable for?
Koigaoura (Kushima) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.