Page 299 - Melanesia
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amotu Lefts is one of the best places to Desperations, it’s a fun ride no matter what,      hollow and perfect left along a reef directly
                                                                                                   in front of the restaurant on Tavarua. Res-
N surf in Fiji if you want to test out some and it’ll be better than 90% of the waves              taurants is not as exposed to the swell as
new manoeuvres. Long ride lengths and           you’ve left behind at home. Desperations is        Cloudbreak, but during a larger swell and at
                                                                                                   higher tides, Restaurants can be any surfer’s
plenty of friendly sections give you more located outside of the Malolo Barrier Reef,              fantasy having often been called a ‘skate
                                                                                                   park’ in the water. Sometimes referred to as
than enough time to try out new tech-           just a few miles northwest of the Namotu           “Cloudbreak’s Little Brother”, Restaurants
                                                                                                   is actually considered by many to be the
niques or get in a long ride on a great swell. Island Resort, and an approximately 5-10            better spot to surf in Fiji. The waves break
                                                                                                   exactly the same but they’re only half as
When waves are between 2 and 6 feet,            minute boat ride past Wilkes Pass. Expect          tall as those at Cloudbreak, making this surf
                                                                                                   spot accessible to a wider range of surfers.
shortboards, longboards, fish, and SUPs are fast waves with nice hollows at Despera-               Restaurants has some of the most per-
                                                                                                   fect waves you’ll find anywhere. Perfectly
all suitable.                                   tions, especially when winds are blowing           shaped tubular waves have earned it a rep-
                                                                                                   utation as a “skate park in the water” when
D esperations - Farther northwest up the        from the east. Desperations breaks off a           conditions are just right with small swell
       barrier reef from Wilkes Pass, Despera-  point, which makes for both right and left         and high tides. Located to the southeast of
                                                breaks that are 1-2 feet higher than those at      Namotu Island Resort, Restaurants is right
                                                                                                   off of Tavarua Island, funnelling around the
tions is a right and left peak that breaks off nearby breaks. Although a fast and power-           western side of the island. In fact, this Fiji
                                                                                                   surf location got its name due to it’s loca-
a point. Farther northwest up the barrier       ful ride, the biggest thing Desperations is        tion along a sharp coral reef that is directly
                                                                                                   in front of the restaurant on Tavarua Island.
reef from Wilkes Pass, Desperations is a        known for is the consistency of its swell. In

right and left peak that breaks off a point. fact, that consistency is one of the reasons

Desperations is the go-to-spot when the         that Desperations is such a popular spot

ocean is having an off day, and consistent to surf in Fiji. Even if the surf is small or

in its size when everywhere else has noth- non-existent in other spots, you’re almost

ing to offer. Desperations is guaranteed        certain to catch a wave here thanks to that

to be better than 90% of the waves most         point break. Swells start working under 3

surfers leave behind at home. Desperations feet and hold their form to over 6 feet.

is an all-time favourite spot for surfing in    R estaurants - A long often hollow and
Fiji. You’ll find great surfing here even if          perfect left along a reef directly in front
there are just flat waters everywhere else.

But you don’t have to be desperate to surf of the restaurant on Tavarua. A long often
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