The Surf Window

Yonaguni

Okinawa, Japan

Reef breakExpert

Japan's westernmost island, Yonaguni sits closer to Taiwan than to Okinawa and is famous worldwide for the mysterious underwater structure (possibly a natural formation or ancient monument) that divers explore below the waves, and when northeast groundswells arrive, the reef breaks on the island's exposed north coast fire with genuine quality.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalN (0°)
WindowW–E (270°–90°)
Size–NE 1.5–3m at 12–16s

Wind

SE

Light to S under 12 knots

Tide

Mid to high

LowMidHigh

Season

Nov–Mar

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Reef break

Bottom

Coral and rock

Shape

Rights and lefts over exposed reef

Length

80–200m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Expert surfers
  • •Why: Remote, powerful reef breaks in the westernmost reaches of Japan, complete self-sufficiency required

Hazards

  • •Sharp coral and rock reef
  • •Strong currents around the island
  • •The famous "monument" dives create boat traffic offshore

Local Tips

  • •The Yonaguni Monument dive is one of the world's most controversial and extraordinary dive sites, explore with a local guide
  • •Hammerhead shark aggregations occur here in winter, one of Japan's greatest wildlife encounters
  • •Yonaguni is fly-in only from Ishigaki, the island has only 1,700 residents

Location

Map showing the location of Yonaguni in Okinawa, Japan

24.4679, 123.0044