CLOUDBREAK

A left breaking wave along a reef to the southwest of Tavarua that is separated by about two miles of channel. Cloudbreak is regularly voted one of the top 10 Best and most challenging waves in the world. Not necessarily always gnarly, there is a growing club of surfers who come to Tavarua once a year, psyched up and geared with their best quiver, to face the iconic wave that is “Cloudbreak”. Any surfer is more complete having faced this legendary wave.

RESTAURANTS

This left-breaking wave along a reef directly in front of the island, is not as exposed to swell as Cloudbreak, but sometimes that is a blessing. Matt Warshaw described Restaurants in the Encyclopedia of Surfing: “…the near shore spot named after its proximity to the resort’s kitchen and dining area, funnels around the western edge of the island; it breaks in extremely shallow water over sharp-edged coral heads with waves usually half the size of those at Cloudbreak. But the shape is perfect, and skilled riders are able to ride inside the tube at Restaurants for 10 or even 15 seconds at a time.”

During a smaller swell and at higher tides, Restaurants can be any surfer's fantasy having often been called a “skate park” in the water.

TAVARUA RIGHTS

When the wind and swell aren’t perfect for Cloudbreak or Restaurants, they can be perfect for Tavarua Rights – a fun wave on the southeast side of the island, in the line of sight from the bures out to Cloudbreak.

Tavarua Rights has been described as “playful” and “user-friendly” but can become serious with size. It breaks during mid-high tides which diminishes the challenges posed by sharp reef. Great for long and short boards alike, the wave is best from November to March, but can present during any season when the prevailing southeast wind lies down and conditions at Tavarua Right are either glassy or offshore.

SWIMMING POOLS

Swimming Pools is a great wave for the beginner, long boarder from waist to shoulder high, but watch out when this wave turns on. Many have compared pools to Trestles on steroids with a dredging break below sea level for the ultimate rippers and barrel riders. If you want an excellent right-hander this is your wave of choice while in Fiji for sure. The name Swimming Pools comes from the intense clarity of the water, which makes your surfing experience a form of speed snorkeling as you ride over the reef.

NAMOTU LEFT

Namotu LEFT is your classic all around wave with barrel sections, 100 yard + rides for all levels. This wave can get big but the island lifeguards will ensure safety in the water. Lefts holds up to 15+ feet and offers a bit of a skate park in the inside for those who like to make a long paddle back out to the line up or who just want to milk the wave to the end. On a special day the owner Scotty will take out the ski and offer caddy service back to the line up on the larger days.. We always appreciate the love when this happens.

LUV SHACK’S

The deepest part prior to LEFTS and directly out front of the Luv Shack accommodations is the meat grinding wave LUV SHACKS. This is a great wave for the sick and insane surfers who want to take life in their own hands with speed barrels and a very shallow reef below. Surf with caution but have fun everyone has to give it a try.

WILKES PASS

About a mile northwest of Namotu Island, across the channel, Wilkes Pass is a powerful right barrel that breaks on the southern tip of a long barrier reef. Wilkes is a serious wave that will test the skill of any surfer, especially as it approaches the 10 foot mark. Access to all the surf breaks is by boat, with a boatman and radio on board in case of a broken board or an up-close-and-personal inspection tour of the Fijian reefs.

DESPERATIONS

When the conditions are perfect with no wind and small surf you can take a 20 minute boat ride out to Despo’s and always get head high surf. The reef offers two peaks with no channel so make sure you are in padding shape, but if you are looking for barrels and some of the most epic surf shots by the island photographer this is your spot. Sometime you have to take the beating to get the shot of a lifetime.