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Create Profile âCurrent conditions refresh every 3 hours when the cron runs. Hourly data updates every 30 minutes. The 7-day forecast, luck factor, and packing notes are all pre-computed at the same time.
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Niijima. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical early July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Honestly, no. Every break has tide windows, swell directions and reef contours that a global model cannot see. Treat the score as a starting point, then check a local cam.
The best week for surf at Niijima is the week of 2 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
Barely any swell. Not much to work with today. Short-period wind swell: expect weak, crumbly faces. Heavy offshore making for difficult paddle-outs but textbook faces. Best conditions early morning before the sea breeze arrives.
Heads up: jellyfish: peak season.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 65% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Noticeably cleaner air than a typical city. Good conditions for prolonged outdoor activity.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOâ 5, Oâ 3, PM10 2, SOâ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 21:00
Good water clarity: ~15m visibility
This guide was generated from conditions data. Know this spot? Submit your own tips below.
Niijima is a volcanic island south of Tokyo producing some of Japan's most powerful beach break waves. Habushiura Beach on the east coast has an exceptionally steep sand gradient that creates thick, heavy barrels reminiscent of reef breaks. When Pacific typhoon swells arrive, the wave pitches top-to-bottom with extraordinary violence for a sandy-bottomed spot. The volcanic landscape, natural hot springs, and the surf-camp atmosphere on the island create a unique Japanese surf experience.
Summer and autumn typhoon season (July-November) delivers the most powerful swells. Pacific systems tracking north-west generate south-east to east groundswells that hit the island with minimal attenuation. The wave works on 3-8ft of swell. North-westerly offshore winds provide clean conditions, strongest during approaching cold fronts. Winter also delivers consistent smaller swells from passing low-pressure systems.
Habushiura Beach has a steep, concentrated shorebreak zone where the best barrels form. The peak shifts with sand movement but tends to concentrate where the gradient is steepest. Position yourself just beyond the impact zone where the sets first stand up. The take-off is steep and fast, dropping immediately into a barrel section.
The wave breaks with extreme force in very shallow water. The steep sand gradient creates a powerful shore dump that can cause spinal injuries. Getting caught inside on a set means being pounded into the sand repeatedly. The Japanese island weather can change rapidly. Strong rip currents develop on bigger swells. The ferry crossing can be rough in storms.
Niijima is accessed by ferry from Tokyo (10 hours overnight, or 3 hours by high-speed jet foil) or by small plane from Chofu airport (40 minutes). The island has accommodation ranging from campsites to pension-style lodges. The beach is easily accessible. Board rental is limited; bring your own equipment.
The island attracts Tokyo surfers during summer weekends and typhoon events. The ferry schedule limits casual visitors. Expect 10-20 surfers on good days. The Japanese surf community is polite and orderly. Off-peak days (weekdays, shoulder season) are quiet.
The wave is heavier than any other beach break in the Tokyo region. Treat it with respect. A shortboard with extra rocker handles the steep drops. The volcanic hot springs (onsen) on the island provide perfect post-surf recovery. Combine surf with onsen for the quintessential Japanese coastal experience. Bring a 3/2mm wetsuit for summer/autumn and a 5/4mm for winter. Monitor typhoon tracks; the best swell arrives 24-48 hours after a system passes.
Surf at Niijima
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Daily scores over the last 12 months at Niijima
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Niijima tend to be best between 05:00 to 08:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 36/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
View Best Time to Go âCombining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 31 days of logged conditions.
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