Motels
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Swl 3
0.4ft 10s.
1kJ
Swl 2
0.8ft 15s.
11kJ
Swl 1
1.4ft 12s.
25kJ
Wnd
31mph
40mph
Hourly Forecast
Timezone: Pacific/Tongatapu
⏱️s.
⚡️kJ
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Motels surf guide

Motels is a surf spot located right in front of the Ha'atafu Beach Resort. It's known for its consistent lefts that provide a user-friendly experience, especially at smaller to medium swell sizes. Surfers of various skill levels can enjoy this spot, but it tends to be more suitable for those who are at least intermediate. The atmosphere is laid-back, making it a nice place to hang out and catch some waves.

The surf at Motels typically works best with swells from the SouthWest, although it can also handle swells coming from the South and West. The waves break over a Live Coral reef, creating long rides with variable speed. On the smaller swells, around 2ft (0.6m), it's perfect for practicing and having fun, but it can handle up to double overhead conditions for those more advanced surfers looking for a challenge. Ideal conditions usually happen at mid to high tide, with the best results when the wind is coming from the SouthEast.

Since Motels is a reef break, be mindful of the conditions and the area, especially as the swell size increases. It's a spot that rewards good technique and patience, so if you're looking to improve your skills, keep an eye on the surf report and head out when the conditions align. Just remember to watch out for those reef areas when you're paddling out.

Surf reports and surf forecasts nearby Motels

E.T.'s
Tongatapu, Tonga
Reef break
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Sun 10
Fishtraps
Tongatapu, Tonga
Reef break
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Sun 10
The Bowl (Tongatapu)
Tongatapu, Tonga
Reef break
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Sun 10
Lighthouse (Tongatapu)
Tongatapu, Tonga
Reef break
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Sun 10
Corners
Tongatapu, Tonga
Reef break
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Sun 10
Kamikazes
Tongatapu, Tonga
Reef break
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Sun 10
The Peak (Tongatapu)
Tongatapu, Tonga
Reef break
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Sun 10
Motels
Tongatapu, Tonga
Reef break
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Sun 10
Pass Rights
Tongatapu, Tonga
Reef break
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Sun 10
Pass Lefts
Tongatapu, Tonga
Reef break
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Sun 10
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Wind certainty

Wind certainty tells you how much the weather models agree on the forecast.

  • High certainty: Models agree closely; forecast is reliable.
  • Medium certainty: Some disagreement; conditions may shift slightly.
  • Low certainty: Models diverge; treat forecast with caution.

We calculate this by comparing wind speed, gust and direction from multiple models (like GFS, ECMWF, Arome, and Harmonie) and seeing how closely they match. They are weighted, meaning that some models count more than others, depending on how good they are for a certain spot.

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Forecast Cheat Sheet

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Models and Updates

Surfnerd blends multiple global and local wind and swell models using advanced interpolation and spatial techniques to create an "ensemble" forecast. Forecasts are refreshed hourly.

Surf Predictions

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