Teahupo’o Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the next couple of weeks out at Teahupo’o.

This is a heavy-water window, even by Chopes standards. We’ve got a solid run of solid, long-period south swell, but the wind is going to be the deciding factor between glory and chaos. The first few days are your window, so don’t sleep on it.

Tuesday, August 18th kicks things off with a clean, clear morning. We’re looking at a 3ft SSW groundswell, with that 18-second period giving it some serious push. Winds are light offshore from the NNE, and the water’s sitting at 79°, which is right on the money for this time of year. The combined energy is already pumping at 1126, and it’s going to be proper. This is the day to be out there early.

The afternoon bumps up to 5ft from the SSE, still clean with a gentle offshore breeze. It’s an excellent session, but the morning is the pick. Wednesday, August 19th continues the theme. The morning has 4ft SSW swell, 17-second period, and clean offshore conditions. It’s more of the same goodness. The afternoon wind swings around to a light north cross-off, but it’s still very surfable – just maybe not as perfect as the morning.

Now, Thursday, August 20th, this is the standout of the first week. The morning is glassy, dead calm, with a clean 7ft SW groundswell. The period is a solid 15 seconds and the energy jumps to 2272. This is big, clean, powerful Teahupo’o. This is the one you circle on the calendar. The afternoon, however, is the turn. The wind goes cross-on from the WSW at 12 mph and it's going to get chopped up. Get your waves in the morning, because the quality starts to drop after that.

From Friday, August 21st through Sunday, August 23rd, we’re in a holding pattern of onshore and cross-shore winds. It’s going to be lumpy and messy, with the swell hanging around 7ft to 8ft but the energy getting knocked around by the wind. Not worth the fight. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing those days.

Monday, August 24th and into the next week, the wind goes cross-off from the east but picks up strength. The swell eases a bit and the period drops. We’re still getting waves, but they’re not the clean, lined-up monsters from earlier. The east wind is strong – 25 mph – and while it’s cross-off, it’s going to be blowing hard.

There’s a new pulse of S swell due on Monday, August 31st, with the energy reading a massive 5668 and the swell hitting 10ft. That’s a big, powerful groundswell with an 18-second period. But the easterly wind is still strong, so it’s going to be a raw, challenging day. That’s expert territory, no question.

The real takeaway: This is a reef break, and that long-period swell is going to be breaking perfectly on the reef, not closing out like a beach break. For the standout, it’s that Thursday morning – clean, big, and barreling. The 31st has the size and power, but the wind is the wildcard. It’s promising, but I’d be more cautious about that one, it’s further out. The first few days are the most reliable.

Stay safe out there. This wave demands respect.

Rusty.

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