Last updated on November 21st, 2023 at 07:40 pm
In this post, you will find the best surf spots in Tahiti for beginners, where you can learn, practice, and improve your surfing skills.
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About Beginner Surf Beaches in Tahiti
Tahiti is the biggest island in French Polynesia. It is situated right in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and is definitely not an easy place to reach. However, it is also one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Its stunning landscape, with mountains, rain forests, and white beaches, attracts high-end tourism, divers, and surfers.
As for the surf in Tahiti, you can’t get any better than that. Although it is primarily famous for the massive break in Teahupoo, there are world-class waves all over the island.
To clarify, Tahiti is not a place for novice surfers. Most of the waves here break with great power over shallow coral reefs. And yet, there are few beginner surf beaches in Tahiti, especially if you come during summertime, between November and March.
In detail, these are the best surf spots in the Tahiti for beginners:
Papeno’o
Papeno’o, on the island’s North Shore, is the favorite summer spot. Moreover, it is probably the best beginner surf beach in Tahiti. To clarify, there are two different breaks in Papeno’o. The river mouth is the main spot and the most popular one. However, it is a fast and hollow wave, especially during low tide, and it is definitely not recommended for newbies. However, the second break is a typical beach break. Here, you can easily practice on smaller waves over a sandy bottom without danger. The best time to surf on the beach break is during high tide.
Papara
Unlike Papeno’o, Papara is situated on the South Shore of Tahiti, and it is one of the most popular spots on the island. This black sand beach receives consistent swells all year long, and the waves here are suitable for all skill levels. As a beach break, sometimes the waves are open, but at other times, there can be closeouts as well. Therefore, as long as the swell is under 4 feet, any surfer can handle this break, but during big swells, this spot can get aggressive, and then you better leave it for the experts.
Haapiti
This spot is actually situated on Moorea Island, just west of Tahiti. During winter time, Haapiti receives clean south swells. These swells break over a flat reef shelf, creating an incredible left-hand point break. Haapiti is more of an intermediate break, so if you just learned how to pop up on a board, it might be too much for you to handle. However, if you already know how to make a basic bottom turn, you will get extremely long rides. In short, this is a high-quality surf spot, and it is also user-friendly, as long as the swell is not too big.
Online Surf Training to Prepare Your Body for a Surf Trip
As a beginner going on a surf trip to Tahiti, you will face physical challenges. The waves crashing on your head, the currents, and the unstable surfboard can sometimes be hard to manage. Therefore, to make it easier on yourself, preparing your body and mind for the challenge is crucial. What you can do to ensure you are in perfect shape and ready to face the ocean is to take an online surf course. You can improve your surf fitness drastically by working on specific muscles used for surfing. Check out Surf Strength Coach and Surfing Made Simple; both are great online surf programs that can help get you ready for your surf trip to Tahiti.
What Should You Bring to a Beginner Surf Trip?
Here is a complete gear list for the perfect beginner surf vacation:
1. Sunscreen– For tropical sun, use no less than EltaMD UV.
2. Surfboard Bag– If you bring your own surfboard, you must have a good bag to protect it. Check out UCEDER, for example, which offers great value for money.
3. Surf Hat– To keep your head in the shade, try O&E Ocean and Earth Surf Hats.
4. Travel Insurance– For the best insurance by World Nomads, please click here.
5. Surf Shorts/Surf Bikinis– Check out Hurley for new shorts and CUPSHE for surf Bikinis.
6. T-shirts and beach wear– Look for the new collection at Hurley.
7. Rash Guard– Protect your body with a good rash guard like BALEAF for men and AXESEA for women.
8. Surfboard Wax– Check out Sticky Bumps on Amazon.
9. Surf Booties– You will need a good pair of surf boots only if you surf over a sharp reef or in really cold water. Check out O’Neill Split Toe Booties.
10. Surfboard Leash– It is always good to have an extra leash just in case. Check out Ho Stevie Surf Leash.
11. Towel/Poncho– If you want a nice poncho, look at SUN CUBE Surf Poncho.
For more gear options and greater selections, look for our surf gear guides.
Conclusion- Final Thought
To sum up, these are the best surf spots in Tahiti for beginners. Although it is considered a “hardcore” surf destination, you can always find a spot where the conditions are more user-friendly. Surfing in Tahiti is not only about hollow barrels; any surfer can have a good time here, regardless of his skill level. Surfing is a challenging game that takes time to master, so don’t get discouraged when you see the tube riders on the big waves of Tahiti. In contrast, use it as a motivation, and you will see that after some practice on the smaller waves, eventually, you will get there too. Either way, surfing in Tahiti is a privilege that most people will never experience.
Before you leave, don’t forget to check out our post about the best surf camps in Tahiti, or the one about surf resorts in Tahiti.
