Teahupo’o Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks. We’re looking at Teahupo’o (Tahiti) and it’s a mixed bag of massive, unruly energy and some cleaner, more manageable windows.

The entire forecast period is dominated by a long run of challenging conditions. The first week is a write-off for anyone wanting a decent session. The wind is locked in from the SSE or ESE, smashing the face with a cross-onshore or cross-shore chop, making the wave look like a washing machine. The swell is there, no doubt – from the 21st to the 24th, we’re seeing combined swell energy readings of 1680 right up to a monstrous 6994, but it’s all wind-affected and messy. The water temp is a very warm 79°, which is about normal for this time of year. It’s going to be a brutal paddle out and an even worse ride while that wind is up.

The real action starts to shift on the 27th. The wind eases off the land, turning cross-off, and the water starts to clean right up. The 27th (Thursday) and 28th (Friday) show some pulse with 5ft to 6ft SSW swell, but the wind is still borderline fresh. It’s not the best, but the waves start looking like Teahupo’o again.

Now, if you’re looking for the standout, you have to set your sights on the 1st of September. Tuesday afternoon, the wind drops to a gentle breeze, coming from the ENE, which is a solid cross-off. The height is a modest 5ft, but the period is a clean 13 seconds, and the combined energy is a respectable 1322. The description says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers” and that’s the truth. The water will be glassy, the lines will hold, and the crowd will be “often,” so expect some company, but it’s the best quality window in the whole run.

The second week is a bit of a gamble, but there’s a real spike on the 5th of September. The Saturday shows a 8ft SW swell with a 15-second period and a combined energy of 3324, building to 4393. The wind is cross-off and moderate. It’s a long way out, so don’t bank on it, but if it lines up, that’s your session. The current is heavy, the energy is strong, and the wave is big. That’s expert territory only.

One thing to watch: on the 23rd, the swell hits 12ft on the Sunday afternoon, and the period stretches to 16 seconds. That is a very long period groundswell. At a reef like this, it’s going to be pulling massive amounts of water. You’ll see sets that are a mile apart, but when they come, they’re heavy. The wind is cross, so it’s not clean, but if you’re a specialist, you might find a window.

For the rest of the time, it’s either too messy, too small, or the wind is just too strong. The run from the 21st to the 25th is a dead zone. The 26th is a no-go. The 30th and 31st are marginal but clean. The 1st is the real highlight.

Rusty.

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