Eratap
Eratap is considered Vanuatu's best and most consistent wave, breaking on a reef adjacent to the luxury Eratap Beach Resort on Efate's south coast. The right-hander can be world-class with long barrels and walls when SE groundswell arrives with light winds. Multiple sections along the reef cater to different levels. Best at higher tides.
Eratap surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (160°)
- Direction range
- 130° - 200°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 13s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNE (20°)
- Offshore range
- 340° - 60°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.6m - 1.6m
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: 30min drive from Port Vila. Eratap Beach Resort access. Can paddle or take resort boat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Eratap?
Eratap is a reef break in Efate, Vanuatu, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Eratap?
Eratap picks up swell from the SE round to the SSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSE. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.5 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 13s or longer, as anything under 9s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Eratap?
A NNE wind is dead offshore at Eratap, and anything from the NNW round to the ENE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Eratap?
Eratap is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.6m to 1.6m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Eratap?
The most reliable run of swell at Eratap comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Mar and Oct to Nov too. April-Sept main season. SE groundswell and light winds.
How cold is the water at Eratap?
The water at Eratap averages around 27°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Eratap good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Coral reef. Multiple break sections along reef.
How do I get to Eratap?
The nearest airport on our list is VLI, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive. 30min drive from Port Vila. Eratap Beach Resort access. Can paddle or take resort boat.
What other surf spots are near Eratap?
The closest breaks we track are Pango Point (8.0 km), handy when Eratap isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Oct, Nov, Mar
April-Sept main season. SE groundswell and light winds.