P-Pass: the tropical world-class barreling wave of Micronesia

P-Pass is what you can loosely call a dream wave - transparent blue, glassy, warm, perfect, and head-high tubular.

Palikir is the capital city of the Federated States of Micronesia, an archipelago nation comprised of 607 islands spread in the vast western Pacific Ocean.

P-Pass stands for Palikir Pass.

It is located in Pohnpei, "The Garden Island," one of the four states of Micronesia.

It was colonized by the Spanish from 1526 to 1898, controlled by the Germans (1898-1914) and the Japanese (1914-1945), and administered by the United States (1945-1985).

With a population of around 35,000 people, the island of Pohnpei has been acquainted with the presence of foreigners for centuries.

The first to surf P-Pass was Alan Hamilton, a California surfer from Palos Verdes. He discovered the wave in April 1991, six years after Micronesia's independence.

"I got a map of Pohnpei and saw Palikir Pass on it," Hamilton once revealed.

"I thought it looked like a good setup for surf. Danny was there with me, and he had a little boat, and I said, 'Danny, take me out to this pass.'"

"We went out there, and it was just this dynamite wave."

Consistent and Epic

Every time P-Pass breaks, any picture taken from any angle could very well make the cover of a surf magazine.

On its finest days, there is nothing imperfect about this beauty, which only reached the spotlight around 2004.

In that same year, Allois Malfitani from Brazil and Chris Groak from California opened the Pohnpei Surf Club, and the popularity of the surf break soared.

Hollow, fickle, powerful, rainy, and sometimes windy, P-Pass becomes a world-class barreling wave when N swells enter the multiple pass ring that encircles the island of Pohnpei.

Although it only rises to full glory a handful of times a year, it is highly consistent at head-high conditions.

The ideal swell direction is straight N, but NW-NE could also work, especially with windless or light NE-E trade breezes in high tide.

The typhoon-generated northern and western Pacific swells that ignite the region from early October through to early May will wrap around the reef, producing right-hand wave lines that seem to have been designed by magical forces.

Surfing P-Pass with dead low tide is doable but dangerous due to the proximity to the shallow reef.

The waves range from two to 12 feet plus (0.6 to 3.6 meters plus), but you'll need a 20-minute boat ride to get there from Kolonia.

The air temperature is stable all year round, ranging from 74 to 86 °F (23 to 30 °C). The tropical water temp stays within 68 to 90 °F (20 to 90 °C).

After all, Micronesia is only 500 miles (800 kilometers) away from the Equator line.

A Gem in an Island of Reef Passes

P-Pass is mostly uncrowded. On memorable days, you might find a maximum of 20 surfers, but the vibe is cool and laid back.

Shortboards are the most used equipment, even though you could try a bigger board in small days.

On these barreling days, Palikir Pass provides a spectacular surfing experience with tear-shaped tubes where surfers can stand tall for the ride and photo of a lifetime.

But beware: the Micronesian gem requires a swift and competent take-off followed by a smart surf line that optimizes speed at every instant.

On extreme tidal cycle days, there's a strong current in the lineup that can last up to 60 minutes.

If you lose your board, get ready to retrieve it by walking over the relatively gentle reef.

P-Pass's consistency and openness to intermediate-level surfers make it one of the best of its kind around the planet.

Pohnpei has more surfing options like Sokehs Pass, Lighthouse, Nahlap, Nan Madol, Nahpali, Aruh, and Mwahnd, but there's never quite the island's main attraction.

Former professional surfer and three-time ASP World Tour vice-world champion Gary Elkerton once said Palikir Pass is "one of the best right-handers I've ever seen."

"It's glassy; the colors of the reed and the water are just insane. It's like surfing in a dream."

P-Pass, Micronesia | ID and X-Ray

Location: Pohnpei, Senyavin Islands
Type of Wave: Right-Hand Point Break
Best Swell Direction: N, NW-NE
Best Wave Size: Head-High to Double Overhead (6-12 feet)
Best Wind Direction: No Wind or SE
Best Tide: Medium to High
Best Time to Surf: October through May
Best Board: Shortboard, Semi-Gun
Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced, and Professional
Crowd: Only on Epic Days
Water Quality: Good
Hazards: Shallow Reef
Bottom: Coral
Water Temperature: 68-90 °F (20-90 °C)
Getting There: Boat
Nearby Surf Shops and Rentals: Yes

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com