Hanapaaoa Bay

Hanapaaoa Bay is a sheltered bay on the southern coast of a high volcanic island in French Polynesia. The bay opens westward to the ocean, with steep forested cliffs descending directly to the water. The spot features a combination of ocean swell and bay dynamics, with visible rocky formations along the shoreline indicating a tectonically active coastline. Wind reliability is relatively low at 39%, suggesting thermal and orographic effects significantly influence local conditions. The average 1.26m waves indicate consistent but modest swell exposure. Best conditions occur with northerly winds creating side-shore alignment. The steep terrain and limited bay width make this spot suitable for intermediate kiters who can handle potential wind shadows and variable thermal flows. The rocky coastline requires careful navigation and awareness of hazard areas. Water temperature averaging 25.9°C is comfortable year-round. This location benefits from being sheltered from major swells but may experience gusty conditions due to surrounding topography.