Ohama - surf spot statistics

Ohama Beach in Japan is primarily windswell-driven, with ground swells playing a minor role throughout most of the year. The best surfing conditions typically occur from July to November when ground swell contribution increases slightly, peaking in August at 29%. However, even during these months, windswell remains dominant. Swell size averages a modest 1.1m to 1.4m year-round, with the largest waves seen from December to March (1.4m–1.5m). Unfortunately, wind conditions are generally poor, with bad winds (onshore/cross-shore) prevailing 75–83% of the time across all months. The least unfavorable winds occur from June to August, particularly in July and August when good wind probability peaks at 23–25%. Early winter (December-January) offers slightly larger swells but suffers from consistently bad winds (80%). Late summer (August) presents the best compromise—marginally higher ground swell influence and slightly better wind odds, despite the small average wave size. Surfers should prioritize July–September for relatively cleaner conditions, though expectations should be tempered given the spot’s reliance on windswell and frequent onshore flow. Overall, Ohama is a low-consistency break with no truly elite months, requiring patience and flexibility to score decent sessions.

December in Ohama offers surfable conditions, though the window for ideal sessions is relatively narrow. The average swell height of 1.4m and period of 7.3s suggest manageable waves, often in the chest-to-head-high range. The most consistent swells come from the W and WSW directions, with over 10% of waves exceeding 1.5m, peaking around 2-2.5m—delivering punchy, well-organized surf when combined with the dominant W swells. However, wind conditions are the limiting factor, with only 21% of winds being favorable (typically light offshore or cross-offshore from the E/NE quadrant). Strong W and WNW winds dominate, creating choppy or blown-out conditions, especially when winds exceed 20kph (common at 2.95–7.13% for W and WNW directions). For surfers, priority should be given to early mornings or days with NE/E winds, capitalizing on the cleaner W swells. Winter wetsuits are essential, and patience is key—wait for the rare combination of W swell and lighter E/NE winds for the best sessions.