One of the few real surf heavens on Earth. Be prepared.

Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia.
Geographic coordinates: 15° 0' S, 140° 0' W
Coastline km: 2,525 km km
Climate: Tropical, but moderate
Terrain: Includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru.
Elevation: Highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m.
Natural hazards: Occasional cyclonic storms in January
Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
Population: 266,339 (July 2004 est.)
Languages: French & Tahitian
Capital: Papeete
Divisions: None (overseas territory of France), but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesia.

More details

	Seasons
	Jan/Feb	Mar/Apr	May/Jun	Jul/Aug	Sep/Oct	Nov/Dec
Best Surfing Season
Typical Swell Size
Surf Equipment	Boardshorts	Boardshorts	Shorty	Shorty	Shorty	Boardshorts
Water temp.	26°C 79°F	25°C 77°F	22°C 72°F	21°C 70°F	22°C 72°F	24°C 75°F
Air temp.	24°C 75°F	23°C 73°F	21°C 70°F	21°C 70°F	22°C 72°F	25°C 77°F
Climate

Seasonal swell & wind variations

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