Passe de Maraa is a left-hand reef break sitting on a distant fringe of Tahitian reef. Like a lot of Tahitian waves, it runs hollow, fast and shallow over live coral, so it's strictly an experts-only spot.
When It Works
The reef draws swell from south through west (S-W), with south (S) swell the best match. It works from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 3 m / 10 ft, but it wants as much water and as much south in the swell as it can get, otherwise it shuts down horribly. Consistency is moderate. When the setup lines up, the occasional right across the fast-flowing channel can fire too, giving you a bonus wave alongside the main left.
Wind and Tide
Look for east (E) offshore wind. The reef works on mid and high tide, and a rising tide is the better call.
Local Tips
This is a serious wave that only makes sense for experts. Expect a moderately busy lineup when it's on.
