Tahiti attracts many visitors. Some come for the tropical weather, some are in search of Polynesian culture, and some folks are just passing through on their way to other destinations in French Polynesia.
Riding out to the break on a hired boat at Teahupo’o
For us, one of the highlights of Tahiti is a place called Teahupo’o. Located at the end of the road on the far south end of the island, Teahupo’o is home to a legendary and world-famous surf break. Completely exposed to the large swell generated by winter storms in the Southern Ocean, deep water waves meet the shallow coral reef and rise into a steep-walled, hollow tube.
Even with medium size swell it was an impressive wave
Surfers from all around the world travel to Tahiti just to surf the wave at Teahupo’o, and each year a prestigious surf contest, the Tahiti Pro, is held at the site.
A small barrel at Teahupo’o
Arriving at the village, we walked out to the point and hailed a boat to drive us the half mile or so out to the surf break. With a 2-3m (7-10ft) swell, it was only a medium-sized day – the waves had good shape, but they were missing the ferocity and what look like survival conditions of a really big day.
Madrone’s crew was stoked to visit the world famous break
Our boat driver was one of the original locals on the wave before he decided it was safer to drive a boat than surf in front of the razor sharp coral. He obviously knew exactly what he was doing, holding the boat in the swirling currents exactly on the shoulder of the wave only 10-20 feet from the edge of the barrel.
Our skilled boat driver knew the wave well- he even caught a nice wave and surfed the boat on our way back to shore
Even in less than perfect conditions, a visit to Teahupo’o is highly recommended.
After checking out the wave, Angie made friends with a couple of locals
