Miri Miri (Tumaraa)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Miri Miri (Tumaraa) is an exposed reef break on Raiatea, accessed via a barrier reef pass. The spot is characterized as a left-hand or right-hand reef break in different descriptions, but both sources consistently describe it as a reliable, good-quality reef wave that works on all tides. It’s best with westerly to southwest swells (working around about 1.5–2 m and holding up to roughly 2.5 m+), and it can offer peeling, reforming sections with typical rides around 50–150 meters. Wind is mainly driven by trade-wind patterns, and easterly flow is described as offshore—supporting more favorable surf conditions. Wind timing is most consistent from April through October, with trade winds noted as steady during the season and typical speeds around 15–25 knots. Overall, the spot’s best conditions align with the swell window plus offshore easterlies. Safety is a major concern: the reef is shallow with sharp coral/rock bottom, and sources highlight hazards including urchins, sharks, rips, and strong currents in the pass. The spot is also described as suitable for pros or very experienced “kamikaze” level riders only, with boat access required and no dedicated beach-based rescue service. Plan specifically for boat transport and be prepared for difficult recovery if something goes wrong. Crowd levels are described as unlikely to be crowded, with only a few surfers even on larger days. Localism is also mentioned as a factor, so rider behavior and group etiquette matter, especially given the remote, boat-only nature of the takeoff.
- Reliable exposed reef break
- Works on all tides
- Offshore-favoring easterly winds
- Long peeling ride lengths (about 50–150 m typical)
- Reliable surf with good to very good wave quality
- Works on all tides (rising and falling) with consistent reef-wave options
- Offshore-favoring wind when winds come from the east
- Long, peeling reef sections can be available for advanced riders
- Exposed reef pass with shallow coral/reef sections
- Strong currents in the pass and rips
- Hazards include urchins, sharp rocks/coral, and sharks
- Boat access only; no dedicated rescue service
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds dominate (E/SE trades), commonly reinforcing the breeze during the dry season.
- Reliability
- Good during trade wind season
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Stated as steady during the trade-wind season.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef-coral setting on the barrier reef pass.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Also described as starting at 1.5–2 m and holding up to 2.5 m+ for working swell.
- Launch
- Small — Boat access only to the reef pass.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Difficult due to boat-only access and reef pass conditions.
Through the year
Generally quiet; few surfers even during peak swell.
November to March is the humid, rainy season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break accessed through a reef pass. Works on all tides; best with west to southwest swells.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, WSW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — All tides (rising and falling) are stated to work.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed right/left reef pass break (little natural shelter).
- Wind Effect
- Easterly winds are offshore for the spot (winds from east favor the wave).
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to about 2.5 m+ but becomes very heavy and advanced on bigger conditions.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality, reliable surf.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Described as ordinary/ordinary power; also characterized as moderate power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling reef wave.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Described as peeling; one source does not provide peel speed but both agree on peeling sections.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal/typical length commonly 50 to 150 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length typically between 50 to 150 meters (one source also notes rides often around ~100 m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Miri Miri (Tumaraa) in the full forecast view.
Miri Miri (Tumaraa) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 12–16 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- ESE117°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2416 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.4 m11s period
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Miri Miri (Tumaraa) is forecast for daytime winds of 12–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 1.2–2.4 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- coral
- sharp rocks
- urchins
- rips
- strong currents in the pass
- sharks
- localism
- reef
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards stated for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is stated as no.
- Emergency Info
- For emergencies in the region: call 15 (SAMU) or 112. Raiatea Hospital is in Uturoa.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism is cited as a hazard, with mild to moderate localism noted.
Rules of the spot
Boat access only. Dangerous self-rescue on reef due to sharks and shallow coral/reef sections.
- Boat access only
- Pros or kamikaze only / advanced rider expectations
- No dedicated beach-based rescue service
- Because the break is far from the mainland, arrange boat transport essential.
- Watch for strong tidal currents in the pass.
- Use reef protection (reef booties) to reduce injury risk from sharp coral and rocks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tumaraa (Raiatea)
- Nearest Town
- Raiatea
- Parking
- Parking available at boat launch points in Tumaraa or Uturoa.
- Access
- Accessible only by boat; the break is located on the barrier reef pass far from the mainland (southern end of the reef pass directly out from Pufau).
- Local Language
- French, Tahitian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Pensions and guesthouses are available on the mainland in the Tumaraa and Uturoa areas.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities at the spot; shops and restaurants are located in the main towns.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at some shops in Uturoa.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is generally provided by local schools or arranged via waterfront pensions.
- Gear Repair
- Basic gear/board repair may be available via local schools; major repairs may require sending items to Tahiti.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Miri Miri (Tumaraa)?
The best overall months at Miri Miri (Tumaraa) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Miri Miri (Tumaraa)?
Miri Miri (Tumaraa) works with E, ESE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE.
What skill level is Miri Miri (Tumaraa) suitable for?
Miri Miri (Tumaraa) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.