Niijima is a volcanic island in the Izu Islands - Japan, which offer some good free surfing sessions.

The islands are most well-known for its surfing potential in Japan and it can get pretty busy during the summer time attracting lots of japanese surfers. Some good shredders around the area!

The beach break at Niijima is rarely epic, but fairly consistent.

Check out some photos of Niijima Islands below:

The best spot in Niijima:

Habushi Beach, on the eastern side of the island, is a nationally protected reserve with its waves and a beautiful white sand. Is a great location for be surfing. As a result of the high-quality and ultra-consistent waves at Habushi, which can have waves all year and is particularly good on angled, short period windswell, the island is well organized for surfing.

Many of the fifty or so minshuku, or Japanese-style bed and breakfast places, cater almost exclusively to Japanese surfers and take very good care of their guests.

For foreign surfers, Niijima is a cultural as well as surfing experience.
While spring is regarded as the best period to score Habushi's turquoise-blue beachbreak barrels, there can be good waves at any time of year due to wide swell exposure, variable winds, and shifting sandbars.

Niijima Surf Conditions

Best Tide to surf: Low to high, depending on the swell and direction, shifty sandbars, etc.

Best Swell Direction: E, NE SE windswells

Best Size: 2 to 6 feet

Best Wind: W, NW for offshore on the east side.

Wave’s size: 2 to 8 ft - depending on sandbars

Bottom: Sand

Ability Level: Intermediate to advanced surfers

Best Season: March to June, but Niijima has waves any time of year.

Crowd: On the Weekends and public holiday periods it is crowded with Tokyo surfers, but off-season line ups can get very empty.

Click here for more photos.

written by Douglas Cominski

photos by Ruy Sano - shizuokasurf.com