The Surf Window

Kume-jima

Okinawa, Japan

Reef breakAdvanced

West of Okinawa's main island, Kume-jima is a quiet agricultural island famous for its remarkable star-shaped sand (hoshi-zuna) and outer reef breaks that fire when northeast groundswells push through the East China Sea.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalN (0°)
WindowW–E (270°–90°)
Size–NE 1.5–2.5m at 10–14s

Wind

SE

Light to S under 15 knots

Tide

Mid to high

LowMidHigh

Season

Oct–Feb

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Reef break

Bottom

Coral reef

Shape

Rights along the outer reef

Length

80–180m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Advanced surfers
  • •Why: Outer reef in a remote island setting requires experience

Hazards

  • •Coral reef, booties required
  • •Remote island, limited assistance
  • •Strong currents in passages

Local Tips

  • •The star-shaped hoshi-zuna sand (actually foram shells) on Hate no Hama sandbar is extraordinary
  • •Hateno Hama sandbar appears and disappears with tide and season, check with locals
  • •Kume-jima seaweed (mozuku) is the world's finest, served with every meal on the island

Location

Map showing the location of Kume-jima in Okinawa, Japan

26.3411, 126.7891