The Fiji Surf Guide for People Tentative About 10ft Cloudbreak

The Fiji Surf Guide for People Tentative About 10ft Cloudbreak

Plenty of surf locations, especially tropical ones, that make you think,: “Hmm, looks nice, but am I really going to stuff a 6ft+ tube over razor-sharp coral?”

If you’ve ever had these rational thoughts, then firstly, congrats on having a realistic handle on your surfing aspirations. And secondly, if it’s Fiji that’s got you fantasising, then there are plenty of other options besides the rifling, open-ocean tubes of Cloudbreak to challenge and entertain the more humble slider. Come browse through a Fijian daydream as we head into their peak surf season (Australian winter).

Getting There

If you’re looking to flee the incessantly rainy, COVID-riddled mosquito den that is the east coast of Australia right now, then Fiji’s only a three and a bit hour flight from Sydney and can cost as little as $500 one way, depending on when you fly. There’s plenty of options of different islands to stay on, but the majority of the surf is in the vicinity of Namoutu, so flying to Nadi’s the best option.
 

When To Go?

Like many of the world’s best surf zones, Fiji’s peak surf season (April to October) is also its peak wind season. Although, it being an island chain with endless options for swell, wind and tide, unless the swell’s huge and the wind devilishly onshore, you’ll be able to luck into something.

Where to Surf?

Straight up, if you’re not confident surfing with live coral beneath, then Fiji’s not for you - (unless you like watching world class waves and surfing, and sipping cocktails around the infinity pool, which is a worthy pursuit also). There are no beach breaks, and now we’ve established that, let’s do a tour of the grounds, bearing in mind that there are plenty of other, lesser known options for the savvy adventurer, all needing a local boatman to access (apart from a few, like Restaurants, that you can paddle to).

1. Cloudbreak
Obviously Cloudbreak is the jewel in the crown, and if you’re serious about tackling one of the best waves in the world (no hyperbole: there’s a reason Kelly Slater has his eyes on the charts year ‘round) then a strike mission’s generally the go. and When choosing to take on Cloudbreak, you’re looking for a long period south/south west swell, and east/south east winds for optimal surfing conditions.

2. Restaurants
Restaurants might look dreamy and far less intimidating than Cloudbreak, but the perfect left peeling along the fringe of Tavarua has teeth. Puppy-sharp needles in the form of live fire coral reef lurking (at low tide, when it’s best) inches below the surface. And, once you’re in, you’re either getting barrelled the length of the reef or getting dragged along it. Swell wise it likes a south/south west bump like Cloudbreak, but south/south-west winds are best. It’s generally about half the size of Cloudbreak, and many people consider it the most perfect wave in the Fijian islands.

3. Namoutu Lefts
Namoutu Lefts is the perfect wave for the everyman. If Cloudbreak and Restaurants are Dimond black and black runs respectively, Namoutu’s a solid red run - just as long, but with slightly less raw ocean power and a more tapered wall. When it’s shoulder high it’s suitable for all manner of crafts apart from complete novices, and when it’s overhead you can still get barrelled and fill your tank with surf memories that’ll make the trip more than worth it. Mid-tide’s your best bet, combined with south/south east winds and a south swell to make it peel just right (although it handles most swell directions pretty well).

4. Swimming Pools
If you’re a natural footer (or a goofy who likes banking turns with your back to the wall) then you’ll love Swimming Pools. It’s as dreamy as the name suggests - a quintessential reef pass that tapers off down the line with just enough juice for the accomplished surfer to have a blast running through their array of turns (head up the reef and it barrels when the conditions align, especially if the swell’s solid). And for the intermediate to enthusiastic novice, it offers the chance to zip along some long walls and experience some of that Pacific push that Fijian waves are famous for. Conditions wise, Swimming Pools works best on a low-mid tide and likes a north-west wind and a south-west swell.

What to Pack for a Fiji Surf Holiday?

Well that depends on how much space you’ve got left in your boardbag and how many pairs of boardshorts/bikinis you can cram in. One thing’s for sure is that the Fijian sun is fierce, and you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the drink, so something comfortable to surf in with added sun-protection is key. For the guys try our premium Phantom boardshorts in a colour that’s going to accentuate that deepening tan, and a tech-addled rashy tech-addled rashie scientifically proven to add 25% length to your tropical surfs.

FAnd for the ladies, try the most comfortable tankini set you’ve ever surfed in, with added coverage for sun protection (and the dual capabilities of tackling that sunset yoga session to ease surfed-out limbs).

If being stuck in your own country for three years has one positive outcome then it’s that we won’t take overseas travel for granted ever again. Different cultures, foods, languages and waves have never seemed so appealing, and now the lights are green, we’re determined to keep the wind on our backs and the sun on our faces. If you’re looking for a first trip back, the Fiji’s a hell of a place to explore.