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Paparaa 99.3
#21 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇵🇫 French Polynesia · Windward Islands · near Papeete
Works almost every day, no off season, boardshorts water.
Works all yearWarm waterIntermediate
Surf score99.3 /100
Surfable days100% of the year
Clean days47% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell75% period 11 s+
Typical size1.8 m 5.8 ft median
Water27°C boardshorts
Best time to surf Paparaa
The best time to surf Paparaa is February, April, May. The season runs Aug to Aug. In February the water sits around 28°C, so pack boardshorts, and the typical wave is 1.6 m. The nearest airport is PPT (27 km) and the nearest town is Papeete (28 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 99% | 50% | 1.5 m | 28°C | boardies |
| Feb | 100% | 62% | 1.6 m | 28°C | boardies |
| Mar | 100% | 44% | 1.7 m | 28°C | boardies |
| Apr | 100% | 55% | 1.7 m | 28°C | boardies |
| May | 100% | 58% | 2.0 m | 28°C | boardies |
| Jun | 100% | 51% | 2.1 m | 27°C | boardies |
| Jul | 98% | 33% | 2.2 m | 26°C | boardies |
| Aug | 100% | 45% | 2.0 m | 26°C | boardies |
| Sep | 100% | 35% | 2.0 m | 26°C | boardies |
| Oct | 100% | 55% | 1.9 m | 26°C | boardies |
| Nov | 100% | 36% | 1.6 m | 27°C | boardies |
| Dec | 100% | 45% | 1.5 m | 27°C | boardies |
Why 99.3
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%
24.0
Groundswell 12%
12.0
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
5.4
Water comfort 10%
10.0
Access 10%
9.3
The detail
Faces 200° with 50% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 63% of days. Mean peak period 12.4 s. Days over 3 m: 3%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 5%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -17.772, -149.480 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Paparaa - Outer Reefs🇵🇫 French Polynesia · score 99.3Maraa🇵🇫 French Polynesia · score 99.9Vairao🇵🇫 French Polynesia · score 98.6Te Ava Iti🇵🇫 French Polynesia · score 98.6
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