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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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.
- 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.
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
Can be crowded when a good north swell hits, especially with local riders.
December to March is the humid, rainy season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- 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.
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.
Other spots in the area
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
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.
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
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.
A vibrant local hub to experience Tahitian daily life, local produce, and fresh fish.
One of the most significant archaeological sites in Polynesia, featuring numerous ancient stone temples.
A chance to see and feed the famous blue-eyed eels in a natural river setting.
A popular waterfront spot for sunset drinks and local seafood.
Boat tours exploring the coral gardens and diverse marine life of the Huahine lagoon.
From riders who've been here
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.