What's The Surf Like?
There is surf all year round in French Polynesia, with various Archipelagos going off in any given month. Basically there are two surf seasons in French Polynesia. From October to March, the summer swells are from the north, which are the same swells that hit Hawaii - only smaller and 3-5 days later.
Some waves are hollow on the outside and become less heavy and have more of a wall as the wave wraps into the reef passes of the atolls. This allows less experienced surfers to take off further inside and the hardcore to take on the hollow barrels!
From April to September, quality surf are generated from low pressure systems traveling from Antarctica to New Zealand and up to Tahiti and Moorea. It's in Winter (May to August) that Tahiti gets its best waves. The breaks along the south and southwest coasts are mainly reef breaks, and can be very powerful, hollow waves similar to Hawaii or the Mentawais! Despite being known as a big wave destination, Tahiti has waves to suit surfers of all varying levels of experience. The quality reef breaks on Moorea's north coast also produce great waves similar to the island of Tahiti, both islands are without beach breaks. With boat access you have access to some unbelievable waves!
The Teahupoo region is a true surfer's paradise. What most people don't know that there are a number of other breaks beyond the well-known wave at Teahupoo. Due to Tahiti's position, facing the full uninterrupted force of the South Pacific, waves can be had all year round. The prime season is March through to October, however it's not uncommon to get southerly swells of any size imaginable all year round. Teahupoo has seven spots within five miles of each other, all breaking in different swells and winds, so it's bound to be good somewhere.
