The Surf Window

Bora Bora Pass

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Reef breakAdvanced

The turquoise lagoon of Bora Bora is one of the world's most iconic images, and the pass through the outer reef delivers surprisingly powerful waves when southern swells arrive, all with a backdrop of Mount Otemanu.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalN (0°)
WindowW–E (270°–90°)
Size–S 1.5–2.5m at 14–18s

Wind

NE

Light to E under 15 knots

Tide

Mid to high

LowMidHigh

Season

May–Sep

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Reef break

Bottom

Coral reef

Shape

Right-hand pass break

Length

80–150m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Advanced surfers
  • •Why: Pass currents and reef exposure require experience

Hazards

  • •Strong pass currents, do not fight them
  • •Boat traffic from resort boats and ferries
  • •Coral is very shallow on the reef edges

Local Tips

  • •Hire a boat from Vaitape to access the pass, it's not surfable from shore
  • •Best before 9am when tourist boat traffic is minimal
  • •The overwater bungalow resorts here are extraordinary, treat it as a luxury surf trip

Location

Map showing the location of Bora Bora Pass in Bora Bora, French Polynesia

-16.5000, -151.7500