WAVES: TWO OF THE BEST

TAAPUNA Fun level 9/10 Crowd Level 5/10

Taapuna is right in front of the Manava hotel (10 mins from the airport)- is a fast, powerful and hollow left-hander that breaks over a shallow coral reef like majority of the other waves around. On certain swell direction it can get really big and as it is close to one of the major pass there can be a lot of water flow. Due to its close proximity to Papeete it can get crowded on the weekends. But you can paddle to it – if paddling and you see a boat go by- raise your arm and someone will give you a ride to the shore or out to the break.

It has some of the cleanest and clearest water in the world.

VAIRAO Fun Level 9/10 Crowd Level 9/10

Definitely one of Tahiti's best waves. Vairao is a perfect left-hander with a steep, hollow barrel at the take-off followed by a long wall for a few hundred metres. Whilst you do need to have a certain level of skill to surf this wave, it's not in the same league as Teahupo'o. The pass is wide and the lagoon is easy access if you get caught inside. Needs to be accessed by boat and can be fickle with the wind so crowds are normally minor.