Where to Surf in Tahiti?

Should I bother going to Tahiti if Teahupo’o makes me want to hide under my bed?

The emergence of Teahupo’o changed the surfing landscape more significantly than any other wave in the world, barring (debatably) the Banzai Pipeline.

Whilst Pipe has been ridden in various forms since the 60s, Teahupo’o slapped surfing in the face in the late 90s and early noughties. A minor Qs event in ’98 showed its paddle potential, Laird rode the Millennium wave, and since then it’s been a blitzkrieg arms race, with every season the possibilities of (particularly paddling) the wave leaping forward at a monumental rate. And the ones doing the pushing are the locals, none so more than Hurley teamrider and undisputed King of ‘Chopes’ Matahi Drollet. In 2022 we’ve arrived at a place where Matahi would literally paddle Laird’s Millennium Wave and ride it switchfoot, and every swell there’s a smorgasbord of locals and fly-in pros hot on his heels. 

But what about for the rest of us? Should we even consider a trip to French Polynesia if an eight-foot plus see-through tube that goes top-to-bottom in a millisecond makes our legs quiver? In short, yes.

The Waves in Tahiti

The biggest secret out is that you can surf Teahupo’o from three to 20 foot, and at four foot it can be one of the most perfect, high-performance waves in the world. On those days it’s still possible to jag it relatively uncrowded as you have to get a boat out there, and many of the locals don’t bother.

Asides from the hallmark ‘Chopes’, the general rule with Tahiti - as with the rest of the world - is where there’s reef passes, there’s waves. And Tahiti (main island) and the nearby Moorea-Maiao are surrounded by outer reefs, with nooks, crannies, bonafide passes littered throughout. Hurley Australia teamrider Aidan Parsons (whose instagram would suggest is one of the most barrelled humans on the planet this year so far) went to Tahiti earlier this year and whilst he didn’t score maxing Teahupo’o, he raved about the quality of the waves in general. 

“You can hire a rental boat for the day and check out all the little passes along the way to town (Papeete) from Chopes,” Aidan explains. “Small Pass, Big Pass, Vaiharou - pretty much every pass has a wave. Taapuna is right in town and that’s a sick wave which is the main one for local Tahitians.”

For the real beginner, the surf is fairly limited, as the coral that surrounds the Tahitian islands is generally live, sharp and inches below the surf. Even on the more user-friendly waves. The one exception being Papara, which is a little run of black sand beaches on the south side of the island where nearly all the Tahitian greats first dipped their toes in the drink, it being fairly close to Teahupo’o.

There’s lots of secrets spread throughout, but of the namable spots Haapiti is a joyous and long left-hander on the south side of the island that walls and barrels and can put the smile on the dial of any surfer—although it does tend to get crowded, particularly at the weekend. 

Fare Right is a rolling right that lends itself to high-performance (chances are you’ve seen plenty of footage of Pros kicking fins and spinning through the air here whilst they wait for Chopes to awaken) and Moorea, well let’s just say that the variety and quality of spots is a luscious as the landscapes. You’ll need a boat and a guide, but if you’re an adequate surfer in search of tropical perfection, then you might just luck into the trip of a lifetime.

The Seasons of Tahiti

It really depends on what you’re after, but it’s worth bearing in mind that Tahiti’s an island in the middle of one of the most active and spontaneous oceans on earth, so anything’s possible at any time of year. However, if you’re hedging your bets on scoring solid waves, then south/southwest swells are what you’re after, and the most consistent time of year is May to October. Summer tends to mean more northwest swells in a smaller range, but that might be just what you’re after. 

The Extra-Curriculars of Tahiti

The non-surf activities that Tahiti offers are vast, rich and varied. If you’re into reeling in big monsters then the fishing’s top rate, and sinking the local brew Hinano whilst waiting for your reel to start spinning as you bob on some of the clearest, bluest water on the planet is pleasant to say the least.

Furthermore, as a former French colony, chances are there’ll be a local on hand to help you cook it when you do. Poisson cru (similar to ceviche with coconut milk, and a range of fresh local vegetables and spices) being a particular highlight. On top of that there’s no end of water-based activities to explore (consult Matahi Drollet’s instagram for inspiration).

Whilst you generally only hear of Tahiti on the days that the ‘CT are there, or Teahupo’o reaches a life-threatening level, it’s a veritable paradise for surfers and travellers alike, and well worth a visit for a layman or woman with an appetite for less than death-defying waves. After all, if the worst should happen and Teahupo’o gets 10 foot, you can always sit in the channel and tune-in to the surfing show of a lifetime. 

Getting prepped for your adventure to Tahiti? Shop our range of wetsuits, boardies and more from Hurley Australia now.