Teahupo’o Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright crew, Rusty here. Let's break down what Teahupo’o is gonna throw at us. It’s a classic Tahitian pattern: a whole lot of waiting followed by one hell of a payoff.

Right now, the surf is tiny. This Friday afternoon we’ve got a 2ft SW swell with a long 15-second period. The combined energy is low (487), but there’s a fresh offshore breeze from the N, so it’s clean. Not worth suiting up for, though.

From Saturday, July 11th, all the way through to Sunday, July 19th, it's a total write-off. The swell comes up—we see heights from 3ft up to over 7ft by midweek—but the wind is brutal. It’s blowing onshore or cross-onshore from the SW, S, and SE at 12 to 19 mph, turning the ocean into a washing machine. The combined energy gets massive (from 717 up to 2929), but with that wind, it’s unsurfable. Just a week of frustration. The water temp is 80°, which is about normal for this time of year, so at least you won't freeze waiting.

Things start to improve on Monday, July 20th. The wind swings around to a light cross-offshore from the E, and the swell drops back to 3ft to 4ft. It’s clean again, but real small.

Now, Tuesday, July 21st, is the first day to lock in. The morning is clean with a cross-offshore NE breeze, as a solid 7ft SW groundswell starts to roll in. The energy is a solid 3075. By the afternoon, the wind goes fully offshore from the NNE at 12 mph. The swell is a meaty 8ft from the SSW with a powerful 17-second period, driving a massive 4982 combined energy. This is when Teahupo’o starts to pump. The wave comment says it’s excellent for experienced surfers, and it’s no joke. Experts only. The direction lines up with the optimum S swell, so expect business. There will be a crowd for this one.

Then, Wednesday, July 22nd, is the absolute standout. The morning shows a 10ft SSW swell with a 15-second period and a light cross-offshore breeze from the NNW. The combined energy is a staggering 5185. The description calls it "exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers." This is the day. It’s going to be huge, powerful, and clean. This is big-wave Teahupo’o, the kind of heavy water that only the best in the world should even think about. The afternoon sees the wind shift cross-shore, so the morning window is where it’s at.

After that, from Thursday, July 23rd, onwards, the wind turns back onshore from the SE, blowing 12 to 19 mph, turning everything lumpy and messy as the swell fades from 8ft down to 4ft. The party is over.

So here’s the takeaway: forget the first week. The magic window opens on Tuesday, July 21st, and peaks on Wednesday, July 22nd. If you’re an expert, that’s your target. For everyone else, it’s a spectator event.

Rusty.

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