Best Time to Surf French Polynesia
The best time to surf French Polynesia is April to October: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 5 of the 7 French Polynesia breaks we map at the peak.
Last updated · Counted from the surf breaks we map — each break's own season, level and wave type
Surf in French Polynesia month by month
How many of the 7 breaks we map in French Polynesia are at their best in each month, and which ones. The busiest months are highlighted.
January
2 at their best · 2 in season
February
2 at their best · 2 in season
March
2 at their best · 2 in season
April
5 at their best · 5 in season
Atiha / Avarapa Pass, Club Med / Taotai, Haapiti Pass, Papetoai Reef, Teahupo'o
May
5 at their best · 5 in season
Atiha / Avarapa Pass, Club Med / Taotai, Haapiti Pass, Papetoai Reef, Teahupo'o
June
5 at their best · 5 in season
Atiha / Avarapa Pass, Club Med / Taotai, Haapiti Pass, Papetoai Reef, Teahupo'o
July
5 at their best · 5 in season
Atiha / Avarapa Pass, Club Med / Taotai, Haapiti Pass, Papetoai Reef, Teahupo'o
August
5 at their best · 5 in season
Atiha / Avarapa Pass, Club Med / Taotai, Haapiti Pass, Papetoai Reef, Teahupo'o
September
5 at their best · 5 in season
Atiha / Avarapa Pass, Club Med / Taotai, Haapiti Pass, Papetoai Reef, Teahupo'o
October
5 at their best · 5 in season
Atiha / Avarapa Pass, Club Med / Taotai, Haapiti Pass, Papetoai Reef, Teahupo'o
November
2 at their best · 2 in season
December
2 at their best · 2 in season
Lefts, rights and peaks in French Polynesia
Every break we map here, by what the wave breaks over and which way it peels — a left peels to the surfer's left as they ride towards the beach.
| Break type | Lefts | Rights | Both ways / A-frames |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reef | Haapiti Pass, Papetoai Reef, Teahupo'o | Hauru Point | Atiha / Avarapa Pass, Club Med / Taotai, Cook Bay / Pao Pao Reef |
Season at every French Polynesia break
Each break's stated season, with its best months filled in.
- Atiha / Avarapa Pass
Moorea-Maiao
- Wave
- Reef Pass · Left / Right
- Level
- Advanced, Expert
- Season
- April – October
- Tide
- Mid–High preferred; can work through varying tides
- Watch out
- Sharp coral, powerful surf and pass currents make Atiha inappropriate for inexperienced surfers. French Polynesia's tourism service specifically describes the Avarapa Pass surf spot as suitable only for very experienced surfers and advises visitors to respect local access and customs.
- Club Med / Taotai
Moorea-Maiao
- Wave
- Reef Pass · Left / Right
- Level
- Advanced – Expert
- Season
- April – October
- Tide
- Mid to High Tide
- Watch out
- Shallow reef, coral, rocks, currents and powerful waves. The right can be particularly serious. This should not be presented as a beginner or casual intermediate break.
- Haapiti Pass
Moorea-Maiao
- Wave
- Reef Pass · Left
- Level
- Intermediate – Advanced
- Season
- April – October
- Tide
- All tides; conditions vary with swell size
- Watch out
- Haapiti breaks over coral reef at the pass and is not a beginner wave. Expect reef, rocks, currents/rips and a substantial lagoon crossing. Tahiti Tourisme specifically recommends getting advice from local surfers regarding access.
- Hauru Point
Moorea-Maiao
- Wave
- Exposed Reef Break · Right
- Level
- Intermediate–Advanced
- Season
- November - March
- Tide
- Mid tide is a good target; conditions vary with swell and reef depth
- Watch out
- Hauru Point breaks over a shallow coral reef with exposed rocks, particularly at lower tides. Strong currents can develop around the reef and pass, and wave conditions can change quickly with swell direction and size. Best suited to confident intermediate through advanced surfers with reef-break experience. Reef booties can be useful, and first-time visitors should observe the lineup, entry/exit points and local surfers before paddling out. Respect local surf etiquette and avoid damaging or standing on live coral.
- Papetoai Reef
Moorea-Maiao
- Wave
- Reef Pass · Left
- Level
- Intermediate – Advanced
- Season
- April – October
- Tide
- Mid – High
- Watch out
- Papetoai Reef breaks over shallow coral reef with rocks and uneven reef sections, making it best suited to confident intermediate and advanced surfers. Access can require a long paddle across the lagoon or boat/canoe access, and currents around reef channels can become strong, especially with larger swell. Low tide can expose particularly shallow sections, so surfers should understand the reef, entry and exit points before paddling out. Respect local surfers, follow proper lineup etiquette, and avoid standing on or damaging live coral.
- Cook Bay / Pao Pao Reef
Paopao
- Wave
- Reef Pass · Primarily Left; a right also exists across the channel
- Level
- Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
- Season
- November–March
- Tide
- Mid–High preferred; incoming tide favorable
- Watch out
- Live/sharp coral reef, shallow sections and pass currents. Boat access is useful. Low tide deserves particular caution.
- Teahupo'o
- Wave
- Reef break · Left-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- April to October (south swells)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Breaks over shallow coral or rock reef — booties are recommended and mind the take-off zone.
Surf spots in French Polynesia by level
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to surf French Polynesia?
The best time to surf French Polynesia is April to October: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 5 of the 7 French Polynesia breaks we map at the peak.
Can you surf French Polynesia all year round?
Yes. At least one of the 7 breaks we map in French Polynesia is in season in every month of the year, though the most are at their best in April to October.
Which surf breaks in French Polynesia are lefts and which are rights?
Lefts: Haapiti Pass, Papetoai Reef and Teahupo'o. Rights: Hauru Point. The table below splits every break we map in French Polynesia by type and direction.