Tadado - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - December)

As autumn deepens into winter, the North Pacific begins to churn with the first powerful extratropical storms of the season. The Japanese archipelago becomes a magnet for long-period groundswells, and even though Tadado faces south, the dominant swell direction during these months is from the west and northwest, a product of the strong pressure gradients over the Sea of Japan. That said, a notable percentage of swell also arrives from the optimal S to SW quadrant. October and November see a sharp increase in both average wave height (1.6m) and period (8-9s), coinciding with the highest frequency of offshore winds (N, NNE, NE) at around 27-30%. This combination makes for the most consistent and powerful surf of the year. While pure south swells are less common than in summer, the winter months deliver the most energy and the cleanest conditions when the wind aligns. December, January, and February continue this trend with average heights peaking at 1.8m, though the wind can be more variable. The key is to target high-pressure systems moving over the mainland, sending cool northerly winds straight down the coast. This is the prime window for epic, pumping surf at Tadado.

Fair Surf Season (March - May & September)

The transition months offer a mixed bag. March sees a gradual shift from winter's west-heavy swells to more east and southeast energy. The average wave height drops slightly to 1.7m, and the percentage of offshore wind falls to 23%. However, the swell begins to rotate more into the south quadrant as spring progresses, particularly in April and May when the percentage of S, SSW, and SW swell rises to over 24% and 30% respectively. This is great for direction, but the trade-off is smaller average heights (1.5m in Apr, 1.3m in May) and a higher incidence of onshore WSW winds. September marks the tail end of typhoon season in the Pacific, often delivering long-period southeast to south swells that can light up Tadado. The average wave height is 1.6m and period 8.7s, with offshore winds 24% of the time. These shoulder months require a keen eye on synoptic charts – when a low-pressure system stalls offshore or a late-season typhoon tracks east, the surf can turn on dramatically.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer is the most challenging period for consistent surf at Tadado. The average wave height hovers around 1.3-1.4m, with periods in the 7.5-8.0s range, meaning smaller, weaker swell. The silver lining is that the majority of the swell comes from the optimal directions – the S, SSW, and SW quadrants account for over 40-50% of the total. However, the dominant wind pattern shifts to a persistent onshore flow from the WSW and SW, driven by the Pacific High and thermal lows over the continent. Offshore wind conditions occur only 19-24% of the time, typically in the early mornings when land-breezes kick in. The result is a summer that is often small and bumpy, with only occasional clean, fun-sized waves when a tropical depression tracks close enough to the coast. It's not a total write-off, but expectations should be tempered – think micro-sessions on a longboard rather than charging overhead peaks.

May: Steady South Flow – Fun-Sized but Often Windy

May continues the trend of south-oriented swell, with S, SSW, and SW directions accounting for over 30% of the total. Average height eases to 1.3m, and the period remains at 7.4s. The wind remains a limiting factor: onshore WSW winds blow 21.5% of the time, while offshore NE winds drop to 13%. The good news is that when the wind does cooperate – usually during dawn patrols – the swell quality is excellent. The waves will be in the 1-1.5m range, rippable and punchy for a shortboard. Keep an eye on tropical disturbances in the western Pacific; any early season typhoon can send a burst of long-period south swell that overrides the prevailing onshore flow. Overall, May is a month for the dedicated surfer who chases small windows of opportunity.