Surfing in Bora Bora is just a shadow of what it is over on Tahiti. There are waves here but the reefs that ring the island suck up most of the rideable swell. That said, the isle isn’t a bad choice if you have bags of cash and fancy fitting in some surfs midway through the honeymoon.
An introduction to surfing in Bora Bora
Just a whisper of the name Bora Bora is usually enough to get you dreaming of turquoise lagoons filled with parrotfish and jungle-topped mountains that look like something out of Lost (ah, remember Lost?). But before you crack that coconut and mosey across to this isle of paradise proportions with the board in tow, let’s just get this out of the way: You’re likely to be disappointed. Surfing in Bora Bora is, simply, nowhere near as good as it is in Tahiti. Sorry, but thems the truth of it!
Actually, the very reputation of Bora Bora as a honeymoon haven is built on the fact that the island is ringed on all sides by outlying reefs. They offer still, pool-like swimming lagoons on the inside but also cut out all of that sweet, sweet Pacific swell. But it’s the end of the game. There are some places where those reefs either drop away or form up on the coral cays further out. They’ll take some effort to get to, but boating from resort to beach here is never too much of a chore.
This guide will run through the main spots (there are really only two) on Bora Bora, see when they’re at their best and in season, and even pinpoint some hotels that we think shine for folks looking to fit in some waves mid-honeymoon.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in French Polynesia
Surfing in Bora Bora at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to surfing in Bora Bora?
Where is Bora Bora?
Bora Bora is one of the most famous islands in French Polynesia, and overseas collectivity of France that sits very far out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The island – or, technically, the group of islands – is about 160 miles to the northwest of the main isle in the chain, Tahiti (which also happens to be the best place to go surfing here).
Getting to Bora Bora is a chore. A CHORE! You’ll first have to fly to Papeete in Tahiti. It’s gonna’ be the mother of all long-haulers there, usually going through New Zealand or Oz. Then you need to hitch one of the 50 or so daily connections on either Air Tahiti Nui or Air Tahiti, which take about 50 minutes. (You’ll probably want to plump for the former if you’re bringing a board in tow since Air Tahiti flat out do not transport quivers.)
Bora Bora surf spots
As we’ve already mentioned, there aren’t all that many surf spots in Bora Bora. That’s just the way it is. The two that are around can be good, but are also pretty fickle. That said, some of the hotel resorts have started offering boat rentals to guests who are determined to surf, and most have a few banged up boards to use to boot.
Teavanui Pass
The Teavanui Pass is the most famous spot on Bora Bora. It’s got a left and a right, but the left is the money wave. The take-off zone is on the reef to the south of the Pearl Beach Resort, just off the teardrop-shaped isle of Motu Ahuna.
The spot relies on May-October dry-season swells, which can push up through the channel in the reefs. On the biggest days, they’ll suck heavily off the reef and give off big, hollowish walls with narrow barrel sections that eventually shape up into longer peelers that go for over 100m. The right prefers cyclone swells in the wet season but it’s an altogether harder wave and more fickle.
You’ll need a boat to get to Teavanui Pass. There’s no paddling here. Not a chance. Ask at your hotel reception. Only for advanced surfers.
Motu Piti Aau
Motu Piti Aau is the less-reliable spot in Bora Bora. It’s on the opposite side of the archipelago from Teavanui Pass and only works in windswell storms and typhoon groundswells in the wet season (November-March).
It’s a very challenging wave with a walk and paddle out over urchin-infested reef if you got no boat. The take off is fast and unforgiving, dumping anyone with a badly angled paddle straight onto the rocks. From there, it’s steep and even barrely until it finishes in a very narrow channel.
Where to stay when surfing in Bora Bora?
We’re not going to pretend that booking a hotel in Bora Bora for a surf trip is a good idea. It’s not. The island has way worse surf than its near neighbors of Tahiti and Moorea, so visit those instead. That said, if – like everyone else on planet Earth – fancy seeing this Robinson Crusoe paradise at least once in your life, then book one of the places below and you should be nice and close to the better break of Teavanui Pass. Remember, though, this is advanced surfers only really.
- Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts ($$$) – The Pearl is just about the closest of all the hotels to the barreling lefts of Teavanui Pass. You can hitch a boat from here across the lagoon and be paddling into the peak in five minutes. The hotel is something else, offering eye-watering views of Otemanu mountain and some of the most luxurious overwater bungalows we’ve ever seen.
- Fare Ahuna ($$$) – Remember we said the Pearl is just about the closest to the break? Well, Fare Ahuna is closer. It’s located on the island right next to Teavanui Pass, which is a private island by the way – think cotton-tinged beaches all to yourself. The stay is stunning, with charming Polynesian design and luxury amenities.
Step-by-step guide to planning your [yoast_kw] trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the [yoast_kw]…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step four: Enjoy!
When to surf in Bora Bora?
The best time to surf in Bora Bora is during the dry season months of March, April, May, and June. This is high-time for big SW groundswells in the South Seas, which is precisely what you need to filter through into the reefs around Teavanui Pass. You can also surf the eastern isles here on strong cyclone storm swells come December and January, but that’s a fickler time and way more prone to rain and onshore winds.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
