Pai Pai (Raiatea)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 breaks over shallow coral reef and sharp rocks, with rips/strong currents reported in and around the reef pass. Hazards also include urchins and submerged rocks, so extra caution is required—especially at lower tides when the reef can be shallower. Local rules matter: sources emphasize respecting local surfers and priority on the reef.
- Offshore northeast winds for cleaner faces
- Works from around 1.0-1.5 m and can hold up to roughly 2.5 m+
- Reported normal ride length is about 50 to 150 meters
- Powerful left-hand reef break with strong faces when conditions align
- Offshore northeast trade winds can produce clean, favorable conditions
- Reported to be relatively uncrowded even when waves are present
- Only works occasionally, with limited reliable windows
- Exposed reef can be very hazardous (shallow coral, submerged rocks, rips/currents)
- Boat access is required
- Localism may affect lineup behavior
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef-coral / reef with sharp coral and rocks.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Big — Conflicting descriptors exist: one source reports small, while another reports big.
- Launch
- Medium — Typically launched from a boat outside the breaking zone.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Launch is typically done from a boat outside the breaking zone.
Through the year
Generally quiet on weekdays; a small number of local surfers may be present on weekends.
October to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed left-hand reef break at a pass on the west side of Raiatea. Works best when southwest groundswells align with northeast offshore winds; it only works occasionally and can be hazardous due to shallow coral and reef hazards.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Reported as all tides, but shallow reef risk increases at lower tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break; no shelter from prevailing conditions is indicated.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore northeast winds produce the cleanest faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds well up to about 2.5 meters and larger.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported from average to good depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful left-hand reef break.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling with mixed characteristics reported.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal rides typically range between 50 and 150 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides typically range between 50 and 150 meters (with reported typical around 100 meters).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pai Pai (Raiatea) in the full forecast view.
Pai Pai (Raiatea) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 12–17 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- ESE115°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2917 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.6 m11s period
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pai Pai (Raiatea) is forecast for daytime winds of 12–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 1.2–2.6 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
- urchins
- rips
- rocks
- localism
- strong currents
- submerged rocks
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability specifically reported for this spot.
- Emergency Info
- French emergency number: 15 (medical) and 17 (police). Nearest major medical facility: Hôpital d’Uturoa (north of the island).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism can be an issue; prioritize safe navigation and local priority rules on the reef.
Rules of the spot
Respect local surfers and the priority system on the reef.
- Boat access is essential to reach the break safely.
- Only works occasionally; plan for limited windows.
- Best accessed by boat.
- Be wary of the shallow reef during lower tides despite it being rideable across all tide levels.
- Not crowded even when waves are present.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tiva
- Nearest Town
- Raiatea
- Access
- By boat only
- Local Language
- French, Tahitian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and pensions are available in Tiva and Uturoa.
- Food & Drink
- Dining options are limited to the main villages on Raiatea.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited availability; highly recommended to bring your own equipment.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Raiatea is known for Polynesian culture and major nautical activity, with reef-pass exploration and marine-oriented trips alongside cultural heritage.
Raiatea shares its lagoon with Taha’a, offering extensive areas for sailing and exploring coral gardens.
UNESCO World Heritage marae complex—one of the most important ancient sacred places in Polynesia.
Hike featuring rare Tiare Apetahi flower and panoramic views of neighboring islands.
Shallow, clear waters with vibrant marine life suited to families.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Pai Pai (Raiatea)?
The best overall months at Pai Pai (Raiatea) are April. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Pai Pai (Raiatea)?
Pai Pai (Raiatea) works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Pai Pai (Raiatea) suitable for?
Pai Pai (Raiatea) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.