Trou du Souffleur
- Shortboard, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Trou du Souffleur is a reef/rock surfing spot located directly in front of the well-known blowhole tourist attraction. The break is described as a left-hand reef/rock break with hollow characteristics, backed by a regional-classic reputation in the surf community. Wave quality is generally rated as good, with fast, technical rides and a short ride length (typically under 50 meters). The setup is strongly reef-driven, with boulders and reef surfaces close to the water. Multiple hazard notes emphasize wet, rocky surfaces and powerful waves that can sweep surfers off the rocks into the sea. Because of the proximity of the rock entry/landing area to the wave impact zone and cliff/rock features, the spot is consistently framed as expert-leaning rather than for progressing surfers. Timing-wise, sources indicate all tides can work, with the spot’s surf being most relevant when northern swell energy arrives (optimal swell direction noted as North to North-East). On the wind side, South to South-West winds are reported to create cleaner/offshore conditions, while typical winds are in the roughly 10–20 knots range. Wind reliability is described as moderate, and high cliffs can create wind shadows depending on the approach angle. Seasonal comfort is supported by warm water temperatures year-round (with a cooler period toward late summer/early autumn), and the reported wind-favorable months are May through September. Safety-focused local guidance highlights not climbing on wet rocks and visiting at high tide for the best blowhole spray—both of which also imply careful session planning around wave height and rock exposure.
- Hollow left-hand reef break in front of the blowhole
- Short, fast, technical rides (often under 50 meters)
- Most consistent with North/North-East swell
- Hollow left-hand waves over a reef/rock break
- Works across all tides with strong tourism access nearby
- Offshore/cleaner wind conditions reported for South/Southwest
- Reef/rock bottom with sharp rocks and submerged boulders
- Powerful wave energy and risk of being swept off rocks
- Exposed setup and shallow reef zones
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW
- Offshore directions
- S, SW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind influence is typical; spot-level guidance also lists optimal wind from South/Southwest.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs can create wind shadows depending on direction.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Also described as holding up to larger surf (e.g., up to around 8 feet in some reports), with working conditions for 1.0–2.5 m northern swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky entry near the blowhole lookout.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Weekdays are usually quiet; weekends can see more local surfers and tourists visiting the blowhole.
November to April
By sport
What to expect for each.
A reef/rock break directly in front of the famous blowhole attraction; best described as hollow lefts over a boulder/reef bottom, with high safety risk due to rocks and powerful waves.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — All tides are described as working; rising and falling tides are noted.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- South and Southwest winds provide cleaner/offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and difficult to manage on very large northern swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Also described as a regional classic.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as powerful/potentially difficult on larger northern swells.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow left-hand waves.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Hollow lefts are described as fast and technical.
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast, technical rides; commonly under 50 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 40 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, technical rides typically under 50 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Trou du Souffleur in the full forecast view.
Trou du Souffleur wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–15 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- ESE118°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2615 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.7 m6s period
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Trou du Souffleur is forecast for daytime winds of 9–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.9–1.7 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- Wet rocks
- Sharp reef
- Submerged boulders
- Large boulders and cliff face
- Powerful waves that can sweep people off the rocks into the sea
- Strong swells can carry people off the rocks into the sea
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Papeete or Taravao.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism noted at the site.
Rules of the spot
Do not climb on wet rocks; be very cautious around the blowhole rocks and reef entry areas.
- Respect the natural environment and any local riders around the blowhole site.
- Visit during high tide for the best spray at the blowhole.
- Access is easiest from the main blowhole parking area.
- Do not climb on wet rocks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Papeete
- Nearest Town
- Tiarei
- Parking
- Dedicated public car park for the tourist attraction; also described as free parking along RT2 near Tiarei village (PK 22).
- Access
- Located off the main island road (RT2) at the Arahoho Blowhole (Trou du Souffleur) viewpoint; parking and instant access from the blowhole tourist attraction area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French, Tahitian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and rentals available in Tiarei and Hitiaʻa.
- Food & Drink
- Small snack bars and vendors often present near the tourist site.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The area is best known for the blowhole attraction, which provides the dramatic water-spray spectacle when swell energy forces water through a volcanic cavity.
A natural blowhole where waves force water and air through a volcanic tube in the rocks.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Trou du Souffleur?
The best overall months at Trou du Souffleur are November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Trou du Souffleur?
Trou du Souffleur works with S, SW winds. Offshore directions are S, SW.
What skill level is Trou du Souffleur suitable for?
Trou du Souffleur suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.