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Cole and Cameron Teahupoo

Teahupoo: The Most Deadliest Break in the World

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The world-famous surf spot Teahupoo (pronounced “cho-poo”) is a must see for all surfer lovers.  It’s known to be one of the top most deadliest surf places that delivers the best waves of your life.  In 2019, (I had an opportunity to check out the waves up close and personal during the World Surf Competition held in Teahupoo.)

Why are the waves considered to be the most dangerous break in the world?  Well, they have a unique combination of size, power, and speed made more dangerous because they break over a sharp coral reef lying only meters below the surface.

To many, this is not just scary, but terrifying.  The waves have been known to rip the boardshorts off of surfers!  And if that is not enough, there are sharks swimming around the break.

Just fifty yards beyond the Teahupoo reef lies the ocean with depths of more than 100 meters (300’+). This is the main reason for the force and power of the waves.  These giant waves reach heights of up to 18 meters (50’) and break over water that is less than 2 meters (6’) deep over the reef.  It is this transition from super deep to very shallow that makes the wave the scariest on the planet.

An Experience of a Lifetime

But if you are a surfer or surf fan and you are visiting Tahiti – it is a MUST see.  So, we take the Konis family to visit Teahupoo.  There is a large wave here that presents a wonderful opportunity for photos.

Islanders used to surf to transit between islands.  Imagine making that journey?  Female surfers have been well documented and are a large part of local stories and heritage.  I love these images.

A local merchant convinced us to send the boys out in their boat to see the waves up close.  Unfortunately, the waves were only 6’-8’ tall, not huge, but still impressive.  They were able to jump in the water to see the coral below and watch a few locals show off their skills in a barrel.  Of course, not one of them took any photos!

Konis Men Going Out to See the Wave

Konis Men Going Out to See the Wave

On the way back to the car, we passed this beautiful lagoon.  I love the shadows on the water.

Rounding out our Tour on Tahiti:

We celebrate a great touristy day at Captain Bligh.  We toured in one very small car, in one day, to see the Museum de Tahiti, Tahitian Natural Grottos Mara’a, Jardin d’eau Vaihapi, Teahupoo, and Captain Bligh!  Big day.

Both Captain Bligh’s signs were obscured by the lights.  But you get the idea.

Captain Blight Night Out

Captain Bligh Night Out

We had a stunning purple sunset:

Kimberly and I competing with natures beauty

The boys enjoying the sunset up close and personal.

One more just because you’ve been so good.

In our next blog we head to Pt Venus with its black sand beach.  Did you miss our last adventure with the Konis family?  If so, check out the Tahitian Water Garden: Jardin d’eau de Vaipai.

Events from this blog post occurred during the last week of July, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.

Jardin d'eau Vaipahi

Water Gardens: Jardin d’eau Vaipahi

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What was thought to be a quick visit to a water garden turned out to be one of our best hikes ever.  We were not sure what to expect at the Jardin d’eau Vaipahi as the descriptions online described a botanical garden.  So, we thought this would be a quick stop before we moved on to Teahupoo, the deadliest break in the world.

The site of Vaipahi was a sacred site in the ancient times.  It was a place of religious importance because of the presence of purifying sources. In the past, the spirits of the deceased of the Teva clan took this “path of purification of souls” during their quest for paradise.

One sign reads:

“Following meticulous directions and incantations of Te’ura-i-Hamano, the spiritual entity was plunged into the quivering waters of Vai’ō’ō, thus beginning the purification journey.  Light and humble after the bath, it was cleansed from the stains of life by the mighty breath of the gushing waters of the Vaipahi waterfall.”

In addition, the signs tell us that the souls were taken for the high priestess of death, Te’ura-i-Hamano, into the spiritual transcendent and saving waters.  The powerful breath of the gushing waters of the Vaipahi waterfall loosened the strains that stuck to their skin from the souls.  Having successfully completed an imposed ritual, the souls obtained the eternal rest offered in the garden of delights of Rohotu-No’ano’a, a paradise of the Ma’ohi people.

A really beautiful belief and so well stated. 

Hiking the Vaipahi Falls

Jardin d'eau Vaipahi

Jardin d’eau Vaipahi

As we continued to read the signage, we discovered a map indicating three hiking trails.  We really wanted to explore the longest, huge loop.  However, we were ill prepared.  We were wearing flip flops and did not have sufficient water or food.  We were also on a schedule with our rental car.  So, we decided to compromise by walking up the short waterfall path and down the longer path.  There are three hikes.  A “short” hike of up to 120m which is 30 minutes one way.  A medium hike up 180 meters at about 75 minutes one way and a long hike up 287m which takes 2hrs 30 min one way.

The short hike was straight up following and crossing the river.  We had at least a dozen different waterfalls in varying sizes along the path.  Everything was incredibly green, happy, and healthy. We were enveloped by the shade from the towering trees that surrounded us.  Water gurgled and lapped along the rocks lazily as we passed by.  Truly beautiful to all our senses.

There were well placed ropes to help you cross a few tricky river crossings and along the steep edges.  But for the most part, you could easily leap across the river, or step on the river rocks, or fallen trees.

The top left photo shows the map.  We took the blue trail straight up along the waterfall rivers and cut over to the orange trail down a wide pine needle path.

Cole was the only one brave enough (or silly enough) to dip into the cool, fresh water.

Cole dips in the cool waterfall

Cole dips in the cool waterfall

Back to Jardin de Vaipahi

The way to the falls was by far one of the prettiest hikes we have ever done.  We all decided this was one of the best hikes ever!  Once we made the top, we were a little disappointed as it was just a juncture where all three trails met.  No spectacular views or waterfalls or anything.  Just a sign pointing out the direction of each trail.  We hopped on the orange trail and headed down.

End of our trail hike

End of our trail hike

The path on the way down was rather wide and covered completely in pine needles.  It made it a wee bit slippery, but far more easy to navigate.  We came across a few other tourists and enjoyed a few pretty views on the way back to Vaipahi Gardens.

This was certainly an unexpected surprise.  We did not expect to find a hike let alone one so very beautiful.  A true gem.  We will certainly come back do traverse across the other trails.

When I had better internet, I found this website describing our three hikes at the Jardin d’eau Vaipai.

Coming up next, we make one of Cole’s wishes come true by taking him to the world-famous surf site of Teahupoo.  And you can check out the Tahitian natural grottos if you missed our last blog.

Events from this blog post occurred during the last week of July, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.

Konis Family at the Grottos

Tahitian Natural Grottos Mara’a

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Tahiti has many natural grottos hidden amongst its hillsides.  We discover three natural grottos, cut in the rock, not far from the road at the Mara’a Grotto.  Permanent infiltrations of water have formed small lakes with crystal-clear and very cool water.  We make our way on a natural trail into a world of luscious flora where abundant fern foliage and green tropical plants thrive.

Access to Grotto Mara’a is a little hidden gem and  is free to the public.

Konis Family at the Grottos

Konis Family at the Grottos

Grotto: Ana-Vai-poiri

Ana-Vai-poiri (dark water grotto) is the name of the largest grotto.  It is peculiar in that it shows an optical illusion.  Its arched-shaped ceiling lowers and plunges into the depths of the cave.  It appears smaller than it is in reality.  And yet, it is 80 meters (260’) long, 30 meters (100’) wide at the entrance and 10 meters (30’) tall at its highest part.

Ana-Vai-poiri (dark water grotto)

Ana-Vai-poiri (dark water grotto)

Grotto: Ana-Mata-vaa

Ana-Mata-vaa (a canoe-prow shaped grotto) is the name of the 2nd largest grotto.  There is lots of foliage growing down toward the water reaching out for a taste of water. 

Ana-Mata-vaa (a canoe-prow shaped grotto)

Ana-Mata-vaa (a canoe-prow shaped grotto)

Grotto: Vai-Pātōtō

The smallest grotto is named Vai-Pātōtō (grotto where water trickles down with a knocking sound).  Even though it is the smallest, it is the prettiest with the huge variety of plants and flora surrounding it, growing on it, over it, and below it. 

Vai-Pātōtō (grotto where water trickles down with a knocking sound)

Vai-Pātōtō (grotto where water trickles down with a knocking sound)

There are lots of birds’ nest in the towering walls of the grottos.  You can find a colony of Ōpe’a (Hirundo tahitica) small grey Pacific swallows and Hopetea (or Ma’uroa Hope’uo (phaethon lepturus) which are white tailed tropic birds.  Periodically, grey Out’u or reef egrets (egretta sacra) will adventure into the grottos from the seaside.

We stopped for a snack at the little park directly across from the grottos.  Just a moment to enjoy the beauty of Tahiti.

Visit us next as the Konis’s and I visit the Tahitian Water Gardens: Jardin d’eau de Vaipahi.  And if you missed our last stop, read about the Museum de Tahiti here.

Events from this blog post occurred during the last week of July, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.  Here are some photos from the Grotto’s Mara’a.