Surf spot

Fanning Island

Forecast conditions and map view for Fanning Island in Kiribati. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Kiribati
Coordinates: 3.8581, -159.3646

Metric
Metric	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00
Wave height (m)	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.7	0.8	0.7	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1	1.2	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4
Wave direction	ENE	ENE	S	SSE	SSW	S	SW	W	W	W	W	SSE	SSE	S	S	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	S	SSW	SSW	SSW	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	S
Wave period (s)	7.9	8.1	9.7	10	10.4	8.3	6.3	6	5.8	5.8	5.8	6.4	6.3	8.2	7.7	6.2	6.5	6.5	5.9	9.4	13.2	14.4	14.2	12.1	12.8	13.3	11.9	12	11.7	11.8	11.8	11.4	12	12.2	12.3	12.3	12.3	12.1	12.2	12.1	12.1	12.1	12.1	11.7	11.1	10.7	12.2	12.2	12.3	12.3	12.2	12.1	11.9	11.8	11.7	11.6
Wave energy (kJ)	51	44	54	46	59	37	29	31	29	28	25	22	20	31	29	24	25	24	23	48	80	112	117	151	199	194	219	233	232	238	246	252	265	284	293	300	315	314	319	317	326	339	351	305	274	218	411	425	500	527	551	558	544	546	537	523
Wind speed (km/h)	18.1	18.8	15.2	16.9	11.5	9.4	6.2	10.5	5.4	5.4	3	2	3.7	3	1.5	4.8	5.4	7.1	9.2	9.8	11.4	10	10.2	10.5	12.9	14.1	14.6	16.7	15.1	12.2	11.4	11.6	9.7	8.3	13.8	11.3	9.4	7.5	6	5	2.2	0.4	3.2	7	7.6	8.3	9.1	9.6	10.2	8.4	8	6.3	8	8.2	9.4	7.6
Wind direction	SOnshore	SSWCross-on	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	ECross-on	NNECross-off	NOffshore	NWCross-off	WSWGlassy	SEGlassy	WSWGlassy	SSWGlassy	WSWGlassy	NWGlassy	WCross-off	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SEOnshore	ESECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ECross-on	ENECross	ENECross	ENECross	ENECross	EGlassy	NGlassy	SGlassy	SSEOnshore	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SOnshore	SSWCross-on	SOnshore	SOnshore

Fanning Island, also known as Tabuaeran, is a remote atoll in Kiribati that offers a very isolated tropical surf experience. Because it sits far out in the central Pacific, the reef breaks there can be clean, powerful, and uncrowded when swell and wind line up.

Surf character

Type of breaks: Mostly reef breaks around the atoll
Wave quality: Can produce long, clean walls with hollow sections on the right swell
Crowds: Extremely low, often virtually empty
Best conditions: Offshore winds and consistent Pacific swell
Water: Warm, clear tropical water

What to expect

Surfing Fanning Island is more about adventure than convenience. Conditions can be excellent, but they’re highly dependent on swell direction, tide, and local reef exposure. Access is limited, infrastructure is minimal, and the spot is best suited to experienced surfers who are comfortable with reef surfing and self-sufficiency.

Atmosphere

Very remote and peaceful
Strong island and lagoon setting
Limited amenities
Ideal for surfers looking for uncrowded waves and a true expedition-style trip

Cautions

Sharp reef and shallow takeoff zones
Limited rescue or medical support
Travel logistics can be difficult
Conditions may change quickly with tides and wind