Surf around Tahiti

General Discussion
1

Anybody got the downlow on surf around French Poly? I’m going on my honeymoon in July to either Hauhine or Moorea. It comes down to which has more accessible barrels. I don’t think I’ll be chartering a boat, so I’m looking for spots I can paddle to. Also, while Teahupoo is a destination for some, I would be weak in the knees sitting on the shoulder there. I want to find some head-high barrels, but realistically I’m too amatuer-ish to charge to super gnarly spots (I’d say I’m somewhere between intermediate to advanced-cutbacks and tucks, no airs). Any info is most appreciated.

Cheers from SD.

Adam

2

Never been, but all I hear about is body/boogie slow mush on the inside, and freight train reef pass semi gun or tow-in stuff on the outside.

Unfortunately, it’s too far to paddle out, or too inaccessible from roads.

Prolly you should go, force yourself to rent a boat on small days, and find out the truth.

Minigun minimum, prolly more like a semi…

3

Never been there either, but here’s what my Stormrider World guide says about Huahine-it’s very remote and apparently heavily localized. The book only deals with the reef pass spots, a few of them sound more like fun and less scary-

Motu Mahara-by the Sofitel Heiva, not surfed too often, fast left walls.

Parea-on the south end of the island, good on N wind days, low crowds.

Fare’ lefts-20min. paddle, classic reef-pass surf, but localized.

All the breaks mentioned in the book are coral bottomed. Who knows how accurate the localism description is, apparently they have their own version of the Black Shorts but I imagine just like anywhere else if you keep a low profile and show respect for the local pecking order you should be fine. I highly reccomend you check out a surf guide or two for the area. Sounds like a fun trip, good luck!

4

I surfed Moorea and a few other islands in the Society,Marquesan and Tuamotu’s.For Moorea you have

either Cooks bay or Openohu (spelling) need a boat for either.There are other breaks but not familiar

with.Vetea Davids brother runs a boat that hits all the best spots for the swell that is present when

you get there.I don’t have his contact info,but it was highly recomended when I was there.He is on Tahiti

which is right next door.

5

Or be like Tom Williams from the great outdoors and paddle out to 4-6ft chopes when its 1-2ft and say its the ultimate wave and is like a steam train… Serious check out www.wannasurf.com but don’t listen to anything you hear on there…