Teahupo’o Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for this stretch of coast. It’s all about one spot, and it’s a heavy one.

The immediate outlook is a bit of a write-off, so don’t bother paddling out just yet. The first few days are looking messy with strong winds and a lot of energy in the water, but it’s not clean enough to make it worth your while. We’re looking at a gap of a few days before things start to come together.

The standout window is the morning of Thursday, the 24th of July, through to the afternoon of Monday, the 28th. That’s where the real quality sits. The best of the best, the one you want to circle on the calendar, is the morning of Sunday, the 26th of July. The swell is coming in at a serious 7 ft from the SSW, with a period of 12 seconds, packing a solid 1426 (moderate wave energy). The wind is light and cross-offshore, which means the face will be clean. This is prime territory for an experienced surfer.

Now, for the spot itself. Teahupo’o is the only game in town here. It’s a shallow reef slab that’s very consistent and exposed to the swell. The direction of the swell (SSW) is a perfect match for what this wave wants. It’s an advanced-only wave, and with the size we’re looking at, if you’re not confident, you stay on the channel. The water temperature is sitting at 79°, which is about normal for this time of year. Crowds are often an issue here, so expect company.

The swell direction is coming from the SSW, which is optimum for the break. Due to the long period (12 seconds), it’s a proper groundswell. This kind of energy has more punch and will hold its shape on the reef, but it can also mean a bit of a wait between sets. The paddling out is easier because of the lulls.

The afternoon of Sunday the 26th is also a cracker, with 7 ft from the SW, a 12-second period, and a light offshore wind. That’s a repeat of the morning’s excellence.

Monday the 27th is still very good, with 6 ft from the SSW and light cross-offshore winds, but it’s a step down from the weekend.

Saturday the 2nd of August and Sunday the 3rd of August see a return of clean, offshore winds, but the swell is much smaller, dropping to around 3 ft to 3 ft. It’s clean, but the wave will be a lot less exciting.

If you’re looking at the 5th of August, the swell is back up to 8 ft, but the wind is a fresh 30 km/h cross-offshore. It’s all about the timing and the tide with that one.

For the rest of the period, it’s either too small, too windy, or the wind direction is onshore or cross-shore, making it lumpy. Don’t waste your energy.

Bottom line: your best bet is the morning of Sunday, the 26th of July. It’s the standout. Get in the water, but be smart about it. This is a wave that demands respect.

Rusty.

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