Teahupo’o Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’re looking at a classic Tahitian playground, Teahupo’o, and the next two weeks are a proper tease. The first few days are a write-off, so don’t bother paddling out just yet. The clean lines and that heavy, deep-water energy don’t really show up until the second week, and when they do, it’s a pure, expert-level ball game.

The first real surfable swell of note arrives on Sunday, September 13th into Monday, September 14th. That’s where the waiting pays off. Sunday afternoon sees a clean 4ft SSW groundswell with a nice 19-second period and a moderate offshore breeze from the NE. The energy is strong at 1361 (moderate to strong wave energy), and the water is a balmy 78°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year. This is for the experienced crew only; it’s not a beginner wave. The real standout is Monday, September 14th morning. The swell bumps up to 5ft from the SW, with a 17-second period, but the energy jumps to 2115 (strong). With a light offshore cross-off breeze from the NW, the lip will be clean and the wall will stand up. This is the best session on offer: powerful, consistent, and for experts only. Crowds are often on the water here, so expect company.

After that, the window gets a bit messy. Winds turn cross-on and onshore for a few days through the 15th and 16th, with solid 6ft to 7ft SW swell, but the texture goes lumpy and choppy. That’s more for the kite crew than a paddle. The energy stays high, over 2000, but the wind ruins the face.

The forecast closes out with a promising window on Sunday, September 20th. The swell drops slightly to 4ft to 5ft from the SW, but the period is a very long 17 seconds, and the wind is nearly glassy – a slight air from the N and E. The energy is still strong (1487 and 1277). This is a good, clean, heavy day for the experts. The 17-second period means the sets will be long and powerful, and on a reef like Teahupo’o, that’s pure magic. It’s a long-range call, so it’s promising but not locked in. The last couple of days on the 21st see a jump in size to 8ft, which is a serious, big-wave day for experts only.

There’s a gap of basically no surfable conditions from the start of the period right through to the 13th. Most of the first week is a bust. The consistent nature of the reef means it usually comes good again, but this time it’s a late show. Stick to the second week – the 14th and the 20th are your best bets.

Rusty out.

Read more