Sunset 4

Surfing
Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Advanced
Skill Level
Medium waves, Ocean
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Sunset 4 is a small reef break on Okinawa’s east coast near Nago, known for offering both left and right wave options. The break is described as exposed, and the setup is reef/shallow with rocks and sharp coral directly in the takeoff and landing zone, making it a technically demanding spot. Surf quality is strongly dependent on swell direction: a Northeast swell is the preferred condition for the best wave shape. When working, the waves tend to be fast and punchy with short rides, and the stated tide preference is mid tide to help avoid the shallow reef impact. Wind plays an important supporting role for clean surfing conditions. Offshore winds are associated with westerly directions, with West or Northwest winds specifically noted as helping keep conditions cleaner. Wind conditions are also characterized as sensitive, so changing conditions can affect how workable the surf feels. Summer is the main season for this spot, with August identified as the best and most reliable month. Crowds are described as manageable overall but can increase when swell is present. Safety-wise, treat the reef and coral as the primary hazard—prepare for sharp hazards and avoid the shallowest periods.

  • Northeast swell is the preferred direction for best surf shape.
  • Reef provides both left and right breaks.
  • August is the most reliable month.
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Both left and right options on a consistent reef setup when conditions line up.
  • Summer (especially August) is the most reliable period, with Northeast swell being the key ingredient.
Heads up
  • Reef break with sharp coral/rocks—high injury risk, especially at low tide.
  • Wind reliability is described as low and conditions can be sensitive.
Was this description helpful?
Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
W, WNW
Offshore directions
W
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Mixed — Provider data indicates mixed wind conditions; offshore assistance reported from the west.
Reliability
low
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts
Best Months
August, September, October
Shadow Zones
Protected by local hills in certain directions

Water & beach

Water Type
Medium waves, Ocean
Beach
Reef — Reef/rocks with a shallow reef bottom.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Small — Often small overall; spot data indicates it is small most of the time.
Launch
Small — Rocky reef access; takeoff directly on the reef.
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Reef break with takeoff directly on the reef; shallow rocky access.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
21–30 °C
Water Temperature
16–31 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan, Feb, Mar: 4/3mmApr–Nov: 3/2mmJun–Sep: rash guard
Crowds by Season

Can be crowded on weekends when swell is present.

Storm/Rain Season

Typhoon season peaks from August to October.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A sensitive reef break on the east coast of Okinawa that requires specific swell conditions to work, with both left and right wave options.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
NE
Swell Height
1–2 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Best tide is mid tide.
Shelter
Exposed
Wind Effect
Requires West or Northwest winds for clean offshore conditions.
Bigger Swell
Can close out or become messy with very large typhoon swells.
Wave Quality
Average
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Peeling
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Short — Fast reef waves typically provide short, punchy rides.
Typical Ride Length
50 m
Ride Length Details
Fast reef waves typically providing short, punchy rides.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Sunset 4 in the full forecast view.

Sunset 4 wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
5–20 ktsGusts 42 kts
Direction
E100°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2420 kts
Windy days
4/712 kts or more
Waves
1.0–4.1 m8s period
Temperature
22–29 °C

Over the next 7 days, Sunset 4 is forecast for daytime winds of 5–20 kts, peaking around 20 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 42 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 1.0–4.1 m with a period of about 8s. 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

  • Rocks
  • Coral
  • Sharp coral reef
  • Sea urchins
Ability Level: Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsWetsuit

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — Spot-level info indicates no rescue availability.
Emergency Info
Emergency number 119 for ambulance/fire.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local surfers.

Local Tips
  • Best conditions are reported in summer.
  • Wait for a Northeast swell for the best shape.
  • Check the tide to avoid hitting the reef in shallow water.
  • Offshore winds blow from the west.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Nago
Nearest Town
Kushi
Nearest Airport
Naha Airport (OKA)
Parking
Limited roadside parking is available; ensure you do not block local access.
Public Transport
Highway buses connect Naha to Nago; local transit is limited, and car rentals are highly recommended for sports gear.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Japanese
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Various guesthouses and hotels are available in Nago city.
Food & Drink
Local restaurants and convenience stores are located in the nearby Nago and Kushi areas.
Equipment Rental:
Available at surf shops in Nago or Chatan.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Sunset 4?

The best overall months at Sunset 4 are August. The best wind months are August, September, October.

Which wind directions work at Sunset 4?

Sunset 4 works with W, WNW winds. Offshore directions are W.

What skill level is Sunset 4 suitable for?

Sunset 4 suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.