Cook Bay (Moorea)

Cook Bay (Moorea) is an exposed reef break at the entrance/pass of Cook’s Bay on Moorea’s north shore, where both left and right waves can be found. The spot is described as powerful and shaped for more experienced surfing, with working conditions tied closely to north-swelling patterns. Wind-wise, south winds are generally offshore and can help groom the wave. Additional notes suggest some shelter from southeast winds at times. The wind-month picture points to a best window in the Austral summer—commonly cited as December through March—with surfing typically associated with these months. Safety is a key issue here. Multiple sources highlight hazards including rocks/sharp coral, fire coral, and sharks, and they also warn about strong currents in the pass during tidal changes and when swell is large. The bay pass is described as being beyond the outer reef and marked by buoys, so awareness of the marked channel boundaries is important. Access and logistics can make the experience more challenging than more reachable beaches. It’s commonly recommended to use boat access rather than paddling from the inner bay, and extra attention is advised for boat traffic in the pass.