Teahupo’o Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s on offer at Teahupo’o. This is a heavy, world-class reef break that only suits experienced surfers. The water is warm, sitting at 79° and right on the money for this time of year.

There’s no surf worth talking about right at the start of the period. The first real standout is Tuesday morning, September 15. That morning, the swell is a solid 7ft from the SW with a 16-second period. The combined energy of all swells directed here is 2535, which is strong energy. The wind is glassy—SSW at only 3 mph. That’s a dream scenario for a wave this heavy. This is the best on offer, no question. The cleanup sets will be long, powerful, and super clean. Crowds are often an issue here, so expect plenty of company in the channel.

The next real highlight lands on Wednesday afternoon, September 16. The swell bumps to 10ft from the SSW, also with a 16-second period. Combined energy is 3707, even stronger. The wind turns cross-offshore from the east at 9 mph, which will keep the face smooth. This is big, heavy, and for experts only. If you want that deep, heavy barrel, this is your window.

Thursday and Friday stay in the 7ft to 8ft range, but the wind turns onshore or cross-shore, and the energy drops a bit. It gets messy. The weekend into early next week looks sloppy with onshore winds and dropping swell—mostly rubbish. A few windows of clean but smaller surf appear around Thursday the 24th through Saturday the 27th, with swell around 4ft to 5ft and cross-offshore wind. The combined energy sits around 1000 to 2000, so still moderate, but it’s smaller and more manageable. Saturday afternoon, September 26, looks nice: 5ft SSW groundswell, 16-second period, and gentle ENE cross-offshore wind at 9 mph. The combined energy is 1703. Clean but not the big stuff.

Sunday morning, September 27, is another clean option: 3ft SSW groundswell with a very long 18-second period, light NE cross-offshore wind at 9 mph, and combined energy of 1970. That’s a long period, so the sets will be spaced out, but the wave shape will be beautiful on the reef. After that, the final few days of September get hammered by strong onshore winds over 25 mph and lumpy, messy conditions. The swell might hit 7ft again on the 30th, but it’s short-period windswell at only 7 seconds—not worth it.

All in all, the standout for the entire outlook is Tuesday morning, September 15. That glassy, 7ft SW groundswell with 16 seconds is as good as it gets. Wednesday afternoon, September 16, is the other peak for those chasing big, heavy barreling waves. After that, pick your clean windows carefully later in the month.

Rusty.

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