Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Beginner
Skill Level
Chop, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

Faaone is a small, exposed beach break on Tahiti’s east side that’s best approached as a patience spot: it only works once in a while. The surf offers both left and right waves, breaking over a sandy beach with rock/reef sections near the takeoff area. In terms of performance, wave quality is generally described as good when conditions line up, but rides are typically short (under 50 meters). On more optimal swell days, the beach break can produce longer lines (up to roughly 150 meters). It’s described as beginner-friendly and usable across all tide stages, including both rising and falling water. Wind-wise, the spot sees variable directions (north through south-west) with low overall reliability. When winds align offshore from the West and South West, they can help groom the wave face. The most favorable months are generally from May through October, with summer conditions often highlighted as the better bet. For safety, treat the nearshore area seriously: reef patches and submerged rocks are reported hazards, and the spot has no lifeguard presence or dedicated rescue availability noted. Since it can be inconsistent and exposed, plan conservatively, wear appropriate protection, and be especially careful during entry/exit around the rock/reef sections.

  • Rarely crowded beach break
  • Works on all tides
  • Beginner-friendly when running
  • Reef/rock hazards near the beach
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardBeginners
What's great
  • Rarely crowded
  • Beginner-friendly wave setup
  • Works on all tide stages
  • Possible good wave grooming when winds are offshore from the West/South West
  • Short walk and easy identification from the road (only cove in the area)
Heads up
  • Only works occasionally/inconsistently
  • Exposed conditions can limit how often it’s surfable
  • Reef/rock hazards near the beach
  • No spot-based rescue/lifeguard presence reported
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N, NNW, W, WSW, S
Offshore directions
W, WSW
Wind Range
5–15 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Prevailing trade winds; spot winds also include North to South-West directions depending on conditions.
Reliability
low
Gust Factor
Light gusts
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October

Water & beach

Water Type
Chop, Ocean
Beach
Sand — Sandy beach with rock/reef sections.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Small — Reported working swell can start below about 1 meter and hold up to around 2 meters+ (varies by source/conditions).
Chop Level
Moderate chop — Chop reported on-site.
Launch
Small — Beach launch from a small cove area.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
26–29 °C
Water Temperature
21–31 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: rash-guard-or-1mm-top
Crowds by Season

Rarely crowded year-round; empty or very low crowd levels reported.

Storm/Rain Season

November to April (tropical rainy season).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

An exposed beach break with left and right waves over sandy and rocky/reef sections. It often runs as an inconsistent, occasional option rather than a guaranteed daily break; best conditions tend to align in the summer.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
E, ENE, NE
Swell Height
0.5–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
All tides — Works across all tide stages (rising and falling).
Shelter
Exposed — Open cove/beach exposure with limited protection from winds; conditions can turn on/off.
Wind Effect
Offshore winds from the West and South West can groom the wave face effectively.
Bigger Swell
Can handle swell up to around 2.5 meters before becoming heavy or closing out.
Wave Quality
Good
Wave Power
Moderate — Works best when swells are up; otherwise only sporadic sessions.
Wave Shape
Peeling
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Short — Typically short, with longer rides possible on optimal days.
Typical Ride Length
50 m
Ride Length Details
Normal length typically under 50 meters, with possible longer rides (up to around 150 meters) when the swell is optimal.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

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

Faaone wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
6–12 ktsGusts 23 kts
Direction
ESE118°
Strongest day
Thu, Oct 2912 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.8–1.7 m6s period
Temperature
21–27 °C

Over the next 7 days, Faaone is forecast for daytime winds of 6–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.8–1.7 m with a period of about 6s. 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

  • rocks
  • reef
  • submerged rocks
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
Leash

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No on-site rescue availability reported for the spot.
Emergency Info
Emergency numbers: 15 (SAMU) and 18 (Fire). Formal maritime rescue services are coordinated via MRCC Papeete.

Rules of the spot

Local Tips
  • The spot is easy to identify from the road because it’s the only notable cove in the immediate area.
  • Expect inconsistent conditions—go with patience and be ready for short windows.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Papeete
Nearest Town
Faaone
Nearest Airport
Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT)
Parking
Limited roadside parking available near the cove.
Access
From Papeete, drive to Faaone via the North Shore road (about 45 minutes). The spot is easy to find as the only cove in the area, with instant beach access (< 5 min walk).
Local Language
French, Tahitian
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Guesthouses and pensions are available in the Taiarapu area.
Food & Drink
Local snack shops and small grocery stores in Faaone village.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Faaone?

The best overall months at Faaone are May, June, July, August, September, October.

Which wind directions work at Faaone?

Faaone works with N, NNW, W, WSW, S winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW.

What skill level is Faaone suitable for?

Faaone suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.