Fanning Island 71.2
#2443 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇰🇮 Kiribati · Kiribati · near Kailua-Kona
Works almost every day, wind is the enemy here, no off season.
Works all yearWarm waterRemoteAdvanced
Surf score71.2 /100
Surfable days100% of the year
Clean days14% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell50% period 11 s+
Typical size1.9 m 6.1 ft median
Water28°C boardshorts
Best time to surf Fanning Island
The best time to surf Fanning Island is August, September, October. It rarely works. In September the water sits around 28°C, so pack boardshorts, and the typical wave is 1.6 m. The nearest airport is CXI (306 km) and the nearest town is Kailua-Kona (1792 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 100% | 7% | 2.3 m | 27°C | boardies |
| Feb | 100% | 2% | 2.1 m | 27°C | boardies |
| Mar | 100% | 3% | 2.1 m | 28°C | boardies |
| Apr | 100% | 3% | 1.9 m | 29°C | boardies |
| May | 100% | 3% | 1.8 m | 29°C | boardies |
| Jun | 100% | 19% | 1.7 m | 29°C | boardies |
| Jul | 100% | 10% | 1.7 m | 29°C | boardies |
| Aug | 100% | 20% | 1.6 m | 29°C | boardies |
| Sep | 100% | 25% | 1.6 m | 28°C | boardies |
| Oct | 100% | 20% | 1.8 m | 28°C | boardies |
| Nov | 100% | 20% | 1.8 m | 28°C | boardies |
| Dec | 100% | 15% | 2.1 m | 28°C | boardies |
Why 71.2
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
7.8
Groundswell 12%
9.8
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
5.7
Water comfort 10%
10.0
Access 10%
0.0
The detail
Faces 13° with 83% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 28% of days. Mean peak period 11.3 s. Days over 3 m: 1%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 0%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates 3.858, -159.365 (OpenStreetMap).
Compare Fanning Island with 5,700 other spots
Filters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.
Open the interactive profileMore spots good in SeptemberFilters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.