Teahupo’o Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve got a good look at what’s coming our way over the next couple of weeks. Let’s break it down, starting right now.

This is all about Teahupo’o (Tahiti) , and we’ve got a proper run of swell from the south-southwest and southwest, which is exactly the direction this reef wants to see. The water temp is sitting pretty normal for this time of year, so no need to worry about a wetsuit – just your board and your nerve.

The next few days are a slow burn. Saturday the 12th is tiny, with just 2 ft to 2 ft of swell coming from the southwest, with a very long period of 22 seconds. The combined energy is weak-ish (478-505) and the wind is a cross-off from the ENE, so the surface will be clean, but there’s barely enough juice to get excited about. Sunday the 13th sees a bump up to 4 ft to 5 ft, the period drops to 18-19 seconds, and the energy kicks into moderate range (1178-1552). Still cross-off winds from the east, keeping it clean, but the surf is still on the smaller side of fun.

Now, Monday the 14th is where we start to get some real attention. The morning brings a 5 ft southwest swell with a 17-second period, combined energy of 1539 (moderate), and the real highlight – light offshore winds from NNE. That’s glassy, clean, perfect for a left-hander of this caliber. The afternoon sees the wind swing onshore from the southwest and the swell jumps to 6 ft, but the conditions go marginal. The standout session is that Monday morning: it’s an excellent window for experienced surfers.

Tuesday the 15th through Wednesday the 16th, the swell builds steadily from 7 ft up to 8 ft. The period stays at a very solid 16 seconds, and the energy climbs into the strong range (2546 to 2782). However, the wind is mostly cross or cross-off from the east and southeast, keeping things clean enough. Wednesday afternoon actually turns excellent again – a 8 ft SSW swell with a cross-off breeze and clean conditions. That’s another good window for the experienced crew.

Then things get ugly. Thursday the 17th through Friday the 18th, the swell peaks at 8 ft to 10 ft, but it’s all onshore wind from the south and SSW, blowing 16 mph. The conditions are poor, choppy, and messy. The energy is very strong (2877-2985), but for a paddle surfer, it’s a washout. With those winds and that size, the setup looks more interesting for kiting than paddling.

The weekend of the 19th-20th drops back down. Saturday the 19th sees 6 ft to 7 ft of south swell with a short period of 12 seconds, moderate cross-shore wind from the ESE, and a lumpy surface. Not great. Sunday the 20th is even smaller – 3 ft to 4 ft – but the wind turns cross-off from the east and the surface is clean again. Monday the 21st stays small but clean with 2 ft.

Now, looking further out – the week of the 22nd to the 25th – we get another pulse. Swell runs from 5 ft to 6 ft from the SSW, with periods of 14 to 18 seconds, combined energy ramping from moderate to strong (1063 to 3003). Winds are cross-off from the east and northeast, and the conditions are consistently clean. Nothing enormous, but consistent and rideable.

The real long-range standout is Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of September. Swell hits 10 ft from the SSW with a long period of 17-18 seconds and the energy is off the charts – 5124 and 4761. That’s very, very strong. The downside? The wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-shore from the ESE, creating a lumpy, choppy surface. For a spot like Teahupo’o, that size with a less-than-perfect wind is only for the absolute elite, and even then, it’s a gamble. This is a promising but less certain call – check back closer to the date.

In short: The absolute best window is Monday morning, September 14th – 5 ft, clean offshore winds, that classic Teahupo’o perfection. The second-best is Wednesday afternoon, September 16th – 8 ft, clean cross-off, excellent for experts. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too far out to lock in.

Rusty, signing off.

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