Teahupo’o Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let's break down this Teahupo’o forecast in feet and miles per hour.

We're looking at a 16-day window, and the ocean is sending us a mixed bag. For the first several days, there's plenty of size, but the wind's going to be a problem.

Right now, and into Wednesday the 16th, we've got a serious, long-period (16 seconds) groundswell out of the southwest pushing 8 to 10 feet. That’s a lot of water and a ton of energy (between 3316 and 3707), but that ESE/SE cross-breeze is going to put a chop on the face. It’s frustrating because the power is there, but the surface will be messy. Thursday is more of the same, a bit smaller with a 14-second period, and that cross-shore wind is still there. Then from Friday the 18th through the weekend, the wind gets worse, cranking cross-onshore to 15-20 mph, making it lumpy and poor. The swell holds at 7-8 feet, but you don't want to be out there.

We get a bit of a lull from Monday the 21st to Wednesday the 23rd of September. The swell drops to 3 to 4 feet, but the cross-wind stays up, keeping things messy and choppy. Not worth paddling out.

Now, pay attention. From Thursday the 24th of September, the whole game changes. The wind swings around to the east and ENE, giving us a clean, offshore breeze. This is our window. It starts with a 5.5-foot SW groundswell (14 seconds) on the 24th, and even though the size isn't massive, the waves will be clean and smooth. The energy is still good (2674). This pattern holds through the 27th, giving us clean 4.5 to 5-foot waves. The true standout is Monday the 28th of September. We get a jump in size to about 8 feet from the SSW, still with a 15-second period, and that beautiful cross-off wind. The combined energy is strong (2697). This is the day to be there. It has the size, the period, and the wind.

After that, it backs off into the start of October, with a final 8-foot pulse on the 1st of October, but with a stronger 19 mph cross-off wind.

Teahupo’o loves this long-period southwest swell. It’s a reef that needs that direction, and the 28th delivers it perfectly. It’s a consistent spot, so expect a crowd no matter what.

The Pick: Put a ring around Monday, September 28th. That's your day. 8-foot, long-period SSW groundswell with clean, offshore wind. The week before that (24th-27th) will be cleaner than the first week, but the 28th has the power and the form to make it the standout.

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