Can we watch the surf in Teahupoo, Tahiti?

Just read a story about Laird Hamilton surfing at Teahupoo, Tahiti, and I would love to see the place for myself. (I'm not a surfer, but love to watch big surf -- from a safe distance! ;) -- with or without surfers riding the waves.)

We'll be in Tahiti briefly in November, before and after a Windstar FP cruise. I've checked the map, and Teahupoo is the other side of the island from Papeete. Presumably, you'd have to drive there. Has anyone done this? Is this a realistic plan?

TIA, as always, for any information, suggestions, reports.

When we did our 4x4 safari with Patrice he showed us the surf beach on Tahiti. It wasn't that far from Papeete, may be about a 30 minute or so drive. I actually have a picture that I took there. The waves were good but I have seen better here at home. Our guide did tell us that was where everyone learned to surf so I presume that is the area you are talking about.

Jennie

Thanks for the info, Jennie. From my map, it looks as if the place is on the southwest of Tahiti Nui, the small end of the 8, past the Gauguin museum. Did your 4x4 tour head that way? And did you enjoy the tour?

Actually, Teahupoo is more "extreme surfing" :eek: than the beginner kind: see these pictures:

http://www.tim-mckenna.com/page/hot/02_teahupoo/teahupoo-01.htm

http://www.tim-mckenna.com/page/hot/02_teahupoo/teahupoo-02.htm

and this story:

http://www.mensjournal.com/feature/0407/lairdHamilton.html

I have just looked up my Lonely Planet Guide to Tahiti and the surf beach we saw was according to the map, the only beach without a lagoon. This was on the south east side of the bigger island. I can see where you are meaning, right down the bottom of the little island. Our guide did say that the surf beach that we saw could be treacherous. It was very calm the day we were there. The surf beach was just near Papenoo which is about 17km from Papeete just before we went into the Papenoo Valley on the 4x4. We didn't get down to Tahiti Iti.

Yes it was a most interesting trip. We saw and swam at the waterfulls and had lunch up in the mountains at the Hotel de la Maroto. It was a bumpy ride and a long one. Our guide was wonderful and stopped and showed us so much but when we returned back to the hotel, I wish we had only done the half day as we had been gone since 8.00am and arrived back at 6pm, quite stiff and tired.

We did learn a lot about Tahiti and the islands and we are glad we did do this excursion. The other good one was on Huahine with Joel. He was fantastic.

Jennie

Ia orana sebayn !

Yes, it's possible to go and have a look to The Wave...

First you have to check the weather and the swell in the newspaper (because, sometime, Teahupoo is like a lake !!).

If the swell is not SouthWest or South, don't go.

If the swell is in the good direction and more than 2 meters, rent a car and drive to the end of the road in the village of Teahupoo (approx 1.5 hours from Papeete).

If it's a good sufin' day, you can be sure you'll find a boat to take you to the wave (800 m from the coast) for a few $$.

Enjoy...

Jennie and tahititraveler, thanks for your very helpful responses. Just what I needed to know! It would be sad to drive all the way around the island to discover that it was calm..!

Since I'm an English expat now living in the US, I was envisioning a beach or cliff from which we could watch the surf (like Cornwall). Not really sure if I want to be Out There in a boat!! Have to see how much time we have, and how adventurous we're feeling.

Iaorana, Friends,

MANU:

I had read on a Teahupoo website that this Famous Surfing Beach is only 17 km (10 miles) from Papeete. Does it really take 1-1/2 hours to get to this Beach from PPT? :confused:

http://www.tim-mckenna.com/page/hot...teahupoo-01.htm

http://www.tim-mckenna.com/page/hot...teahupoo-02.htm

I ask because I am staying with a Friend of a Friend in Papenoo, which I understand is quite near that Beach. She is picking my Daughter and I up at Faa'a airport. Is the road bad - is that why it takes so long to get that distance? :eek:

Thank you for your help. :cool:

Ia orana Princess !

Teahupoo is PK17, it's true, but on Tahiti iti which is the small island in the South.

I invite you to check the link below where you'll find a map of Tahiti with Teahupoo and Papenoo.

http://www.thetahititraveler.com/islandguide/tahitiintro.asp

From Papeenoo, it will take approx. 1 hour.

Hope this help,

Ia Orana,

I don't know where I got that link. It doesn't work. I now see by looking at the map that it is quite far; however, we hope to see a little of Little Tahiti (Tahiti Iti). Thanks, so much, for the Link to the map. :cool:

Nana,

Ia orana !

sorry for the wrong link...

To see this detailled map, just go to http://www.thetahititraveler.com and click Tahiti on the home page...

Sunny regards from Tahiti,