Bali Hai

Advanced riders
Best for
Advanced
Skill Level
Ocean
Spot Type
Quiet
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Bali Hai is an exposed right-hand reef break on Huahine, offering fairly consistent surf. The wave is known for fast, hollow performance—especially on north swells—and is commonly described as high quality for advanced surfing. The break sits in the Avamoa Pass area, where strong currents and tidal flow are part of the experience. Water hazards are a central consideration here: shallow reef and sharp coral (including fire coral) are present, and sharks are reported to frequent the pass entrance. Wind-wise, the spot aligns with prevailing East to Southeast trade winds (Alizés). Those onshore/offshore dynamics are beneficial here because the East/Southeast winds are described as offshore, helping groom the wave faces. Best wind months are reported as May through September, with typical wind speeds around 15–25 knots and generally light gusts. For surfers, the safer choice is to plan around conditions that cover the reef—sources specifically note it’s often best at high tide when the reef is more covered. Practical access guidance also emphasizes the strong pass flow during tide changes; for those not used to long paddles, a boat drop-off is recommended. Emergency support is not positioned as a beach-lifeguard situation, so local judgment and preparation are critical.

  • Powerful, hollow right-hand reef waves
  • Best on north swells
  • Often quieter and less-frequented than nearby famous breaks
Great for
Advanced riders
What's great
  • Consistent, high-performance right-hand reef waves with hollow character on north swells.
  • Trade winds can be offshore (East/Southeast), helping groom wave faces.
  • Crystal-clear tropical water conditions are described for the wider Auraro Coast area.
Heads up
  • Exposed reef break with serious hazards (sharks, coral/fire coral, shallow reef).
  • Strong pass currents and tide changes can make the water challenging.
  • No lifeguards and rescue described as not available.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
E, ESE
Offshore directions
E, ESE
Wind Range
15–25 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Trade winds (Alizés) primarily from the East and Southeast; winter can bring stronger winds.
Reliability
medium
Gust Factor
Light gusts — Described as light gusts.
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September
Thermal Window
Other · Afternoon · Months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Dir: E, SE · Regional thermal effects are secondary to the trades, with afternoon enhancement possible.

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean
Beach
Mixed — Mixed coastline/nearshore described in one dataset; reef-focused break with coral bottom.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — Surf described as fairly consistent; wave size described as medium in one dataset, with optimal north swell heights working around 1.0–3.0 meters.
Launch
Medium — Paddle out from the beach near the old hotel site or access by boat from Fare harbor.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Launch difficulty reported as moderate; strong pass currents can increase practical difficulty.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
25–29 °C
Water Temperature
23–30 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: Lycra or 1mm neoprene top
Crowds by Season

Can be crowded when a good north swell hits, especially with local riders.

Storm/Rain Season

December to March is the humid, rainy season.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Right-hand exposed reef break with fairly consistent surf, known for hollow, fast waves—especially in winter on north swells. Works as a long-wall right for advanced surfers.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
N, NNW
Swell Height
1–3 m
Optimal Tide
All tides — Sources note the spot is often best at high tide when the reef is more covered.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed reef break.
Wind Effect
East/Southeast trade winds are offshore, grooming the wave faces.
Bigger Swell
Holds significant size but becomes very heavy and can become expert-only.
Wave Quality
Excellent — Excellent wave quality with consistent, high-performance rides.
Wave Power
Powerful — Powerful waves.
Wave Shape
Hollow — Known for hollow waves; can become very hollow on larger north swells.
Peel Speed
Fast — Fast peeling speed.
Ride Length
Long — Long, high-performance walls; rides can reach up to 150 meters on optimal north swells.
Typical Ride Length
100 m
Ride Length Details
Rides can reach up to 150 meters on optimal north swells; typical ride length reported around 100 meters.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bali Hai in the full forecast view.

Bali Hai wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
13–18 ktsGusts 23 kts
Direction
ESE121°
Strongest day
Fri, Oct 2318 kts
Windy days
7/712 kts or more
Waves
1.5–1.9 m10s period
Temperature
24–26 °C

Over the next 7 days, Bali Hai is forecast for daytime winds of 13–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 1.5–1.9 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • Sharks
  • Coral
  • Fire coral
  • Shallow reef
  • Strong currents in the pass
  • Boat traffic
  • Shallow reef heads
Ability Level: Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashBootsWetsuit

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards noted for the spot.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — Rescue availability is described as no.
Emergency Info
Hospital in Fare is the nearest medical facility.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Described as moderate localism; priority is given to locals.

Rules of the spot

Priority is given to locals; follow standard surfing etiquette in the lineup.

Local Tips
  • Watch out for sharks which are frequently seen patrolling the pass entrance.
  • The current in the pass can be very strong during tide changes; a boat drop-off is recommended for those not used to long paddles.
  • The spot is best at high tide when the reef is more covered.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Fare
Nearest Town
Fare
Nearest Airport
Huahine-Fare Airport (HUH)
Parking
Limited parking available near the public beach areas in Fare.
Public Transport
Public transport is very limited; renting a car, scooter, or bicycle is the standard way to move between coastal areas.
Cost Level
Expensive
Local Language
French, Tahitian
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Restaurant
Bar
Accommodation
Near — Several guesthouses and small hotels are located in the nearby town of Fare.
Food & Drink
Numerous cafes and restaurants in Fare town center.
Equipment Rental:
Basic surf rentals may be available in Fare; equipment rental is described as readily available for surfboards/long SUP in Fare, while kite/windsurf rentals are significantly more limited and often need pre-arrangement.
Gear Storage
Limited to specific accommodation providers or private schools.
Gear Repair
Basic surfboard repairs are available locally; specialized kite or sail repair is limited.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Huahine offers a slower pace of life focused on cultural heritage and outdoor exploration, with a tight-knit local scene centered on watermen and the island’s natural beauty.

Best time to visit: June to September offers the most pleasant weather and consistent conditions for water sports.
Fare Village Market1 km

A vibrant local hub to experience Tahitian daily life, local produce, and fresh fish.

Maeva Marae5 km

One of the most significant archaeological sites in Polynesia, featuring numerous ancient stone temples.

Fa'ie Sacred Eels8 km

A chance to see and feed the famous blue-eyed eels in a natural river setting.

Huahine Yacht Club1 km

A popular waterfront spot for sunset drinks and local seafood.

Lagoon Snorkeling Tours2 km

Boat tours exploring the coral gardens and diverse marine life of the Huahine lagoon.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Bali Hai?

The best overall months at Bali Hai are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.

Which wind directions work at Bali Hai?

Bali Hai works with E, ESE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE.

What skill level is Bali Hai suitable for?

Bali Hai suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.