Expert-verified surf spot database with detailed swell/wind parameters, hazards, and travel information
Cloudbreak is a world-renowned left-hander that breaks over a pristine coral reef in the open ocean off Fiji's Tavarua Island. The wave can handle virtually any size—from fun 4-footers to triple-overhead bombs—and delivers long, makeable barrels across multiple sections. When large S-SW swells arrive during the May-October season, Cloudbreak transforms into one of the world's most powerful waves. Access is by boat only, keeping crowds manageable despite its fame. The warm, crystal-clear water and consistent trade winds make this a bucket-list destination.
🌊 Fiji perfection • Boat-access barrels • Handles any size
Works best with swells from 210° (SSW). Workable range: 170°-240°.
Ideal size: 3.6m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 6m.
Needs at least 12s period. Ideal: 18s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 100° (E). Offshore range: 60°-140°. Best window: morning.
🪸 Sharp reef, 😮‍💨 Hold-downs, 🦈 Sharks, 🏝️ Remote
World-class but dangerous. Sharp reef, shark activity.
Unknown minutes drive from NAN airport. Requires boat access ($200/day).
Swell direction must be within the workable range AND within the spot's coastal orientation. A south-facing beach cannot receive north swells, no matter the size or period.
Offshore wind (blowing from land toward ocean) grooms the wave face. Onshore wind (blowing from ocean toward land) destroys wave quality. Wind tolerance varies by wave type.
Restaurants is Fiji's hidden gem—a perfect left-hand tube that serves as the go-to alternative when Cloudbreak gets too intense. Named after the resort restaurant overlooking it, the wave offers flawless, mechanical barrels over a friendly reef at a manageable size. The takeoff is forgiving, the tubes are predictable, and the paddle-out is easy via a deep channel. When Cloudbreak is maxing or the wind is wrong, Restaurants often provides perfect conditions. It's considered one of the top 10 waves in the world by those lucky enough to surf it.
🍽️ Cloudbreak's friendly sister • Perfect tubes • Fiji's best-kept secret
Works best with swells from 210° (SSW). Workable range: 180°-240°.
Ideal size: 1.8m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 110° (ESE). Offshore range: 70°-150°. Best window: morning.
SW swell season. Trade winds offshore. Cloudbreak's little brother.
Sharp reef. Rarely crowded. Boat access only.
Unknown minutes drive from NAN airport. Requires boat access ($150/day).
Namotu Island/Surf-forecast cross-reference
Boat from Denarau or stay at Tavarua/Namotu.
Namotu Lefts is one of Fiji's most consistent high-performance waves—a hollow left-hander that breaks right in front of the Namotu Island Resort. The wave produces powerful, roping barrels that can handle swell up to 15 feet, offering world-class tubes on a more predictable platform than Cloudbreak. The reef is user-friendly, the channel is deep, and the position allows for early morning perfection before the trades kick in. If you're staying at Namotu, this is your backyard—and what a backyard it is.
🏝️ Resort doorstep barrels • Fiji's most consistent left • 15ft tubes possible
Works best with swells from 210° (SSW). Workable range: 180°-250°.
Ideal size: 2.5m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 4m.
Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 16s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 45° (NE). Offshore range: 0°-90°. Best window: morning.
Year-round but best in SW swell season. Consistent.
Stay at Namotu Island Resort or boat access.
Frigates is Fiji's Coral Coast answer to Cloudbreak—a heavy left-hand barrel that breaks over a mushroom-shaped reef in the remote Kadavu Passage. The wave is powerful and hollow, with a deep takeoff zone and a challenging mushroom section that can double up and throw. The 40-60 minute boat ride from Waidroka Bay keeps crowds minimal, making Frigates one of the least surfed world-class waves in Fiji. When it's on, it delivers the kind of empty barrels you dream about.
🍄 Fiji's empty secret • Mushroom reef mayhem • Hours from the crowds
Works best with swells from 220° (SW). Workable range: 190°-250°.
Ideal size: 3.1m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 5m.
Needs at least 12s period. Ideal: 16s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 60°-135°. Best window: morning.
SW swell season. Offshore in SE trades. Coral Coast's Cloudbreak.
🪸 Sharp reef, 🌀 Strong rips, 🏝️ Remote, 🦈 Sharks
Heavy barrel. Mushroom reef section at end. Deep takeoff zone. 40-60min boat ride.
Unknown minutes drive from SUV airport. Requires boat access ($200/day).
Waidroka Resort/Surf-forecast cross-reference
Boat from Waidroka Bay Resort. 40-60 minute ride.
Wilkes Pass is Fiji's premier right-hander—a long, fast barrel that offers an alternative to the famous lefts around Tavarua. The wave breaks over a shallow reef pass and produces extended tube rides when S-SW swells combine with NE-NW winds (opposite to what the other breaks need). This makes Wilkes Pass valuable when the wind is wrong for Cloudbreak and Restaurants. The wave handles good size and delivers powerful, hollow sections.
➡️ Fiji's best right • When the wind's wrong elsewhere • Fast reef pass barrels
Ideal size: 2.3m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 3.5m.
Offshore wind from 45° (NE). Offshore range: 315°-90°. Best window: morning.
Best Nov-Apr when trades are lighter. Year-round swell.
Sharp reef. Best at high tide. Boat access only.
Boat from Namotu, Tavarua, or mainland resorts.
Swimming Pools is Fiji's premier high-performance right—a rippable wave that breaks over coral in crystal-clear water near Namotu Island. Unlike the heavy lefts that dominate this region (Cloudbreak, Restaurants), Swimming Pools offers a more forgiving canvas for progressive surfing. The water is so clear it looks like you're surfing in an aquarium. It's the perfect complement to a Fiji trip, offering playful sessions when the bigger waves become too challenging or the direction favors rights.
🏊 Fiji's best right • Crystal clear canvas • High-performance playground
Works best with swells from 202° (SSW). Workable range: 180°-225°.
Ideal size: 3.0m. Too small below 1.5m, too big (closeout) above 4.5m.
Needs at least 7s period. Ideal: 9s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 45° (NE). Offshore range: 10°-80°. Best window: morning.
Tavarua Rights is the overlooked sibling to Cloudbreak—a 200-meter right-hand barrel that peels along the coral reef on the opposite side of Fiji's most famous wave. While Cloudbreak hogs the spotlight, Tavarua Rights offers excellent tubes in its own right, especially when the trade winds drop and conditions go glassy. The wave ranges from fun and playful to genuinely heavy depending on swell size. It's a reminder that this corner of Fiji delivers quality in both directions.
➡️ Cloudbreak's sibling • 200m rights • Fun to firing
Works best with swells from 247° (WSW). Workable range: 225°-270°.
Offshore wind from 22° (NNE). Offshore range: 337°-67°. Best window: morning.
⚠️ Shallow, 😮‍💨 Hold-downs, 🪸 Sharp reef
Cloudbreak XXL (aka "Thundercloud") is big-wave surfing's most terrifying playing field—the outer reef at Fiji's famous Cloudbreak that activates during massive Southern Ocean swells. When 20-foot+ walls march across the reef, the wave transforms into a tow-in only colosseum of unimaginable power. The hold-downs are life-threatening, the lips are building-thick, and only the world's elite big-wave surfers dare paddle here. Fiji's ultimate heavy water arena.
⚡ Thundercloud • 60ft+ faces • Big-wave Mount Everest
This is a big wave break, breaking left.
Works best with swells from 210° (SSW). Workable range: 190°-230°.
Ideal size: 13.0m. Too small below 6m, too big (closeout) above 20m.
Needs at least 16s period. Ideal: 20s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 100° (E). Offshore range: 70°-130°. Best window: morning.
Requires massive SW groundswells from the Roaring Forties.
😮‍💨 Hold-downs, 🪸 Sharp reef, 🏝️ Remote, 🦈 Sharks
Life-threatening hold-downs. Heavy water. Experts/Pros only.
Unknown minutes drive from NAN airport. Requires boat access ($300/day).
Swimming Pools is exactly what the name suggests—a mellow, crystal-clear right-hander near Tavarua that feels like surfing in an aquarium. While Cloudbreak and Restaurants grab the headlines, Swimming Pools offers a more accessible alternative that works for all skill levels. The wave peels predictably over coral reef in water so clear you can watch reef fish below while waiting for sets. For surfers staying at Tavarua or visiting by boat from Denarau, Swimming Pools provides the perfect warm-up session, afternoon decompression, or introduction to Fijian reef surfing.
🏊 Crystal clear perfection • All-levels friendly • Tavarua bonus
Ideal size: 1.3m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 2m.
Desperations earned its name from surfers seeking an alternative when Cloudbreak and Restaurants get too crowded or maxed out. This reliable left-hander near Namotu Island works in similar conditions to Fiji's famous breaks but with a fraction of the crowd. The wave offers good barrel sections and workable walls over coral reef, providing quality sessions when the A-list spots are packed. For surfers staying at Namotu or exploring the Mamanuca reef system, Desperations delivers solid Fijian reef surfing without the competition for waves.
🎯 Crowd escape valve • Reliable left • Namotu alternative
Works best with swells from 200° (SSW). Workable range: 170°-230°.
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Fiji winter season. Works in similar conditions to Cloudbreak.
Coral reef. Part of Namotu Island access.