Teahupoo - surf spot statistics

Teahupoo is one of the most iconic and powerful reef breaks in the world, known for its heavy, barreling waves. The best months for surfing here are typically from May to September, when the swell is most consistent and the wave heights peak. During these months, the mean swell size ranges from 2.0m to 2.2m, with ground swell dominating at 80-87% of the time, ensuring clean, powerful waves. However, wind conditions are less favorable, with good winds occurring only 32-39% of the time, particularly from June to September when onshore winds (bad conditions) are most prevalent at 61-68%. The earlier part of this window, May and June, offers slightly better wind percentages compared to July-September. Outside the peak season, from October to April, the swell size decreases gradually (1.6m-1.9m), but wind conditions improve, with good wind days rising to 38-48% in March and April. March and April stand out as good transition months with solid ground swell (87-88%) and relatively better wind chances (47-48%). The winter months (December-February) see smaller swells (1.6m-1.7m) and moderate wind conditions (44-45% good winds), making them less ideal for advanced surfers seeking Teahupoo’s full power. Overall, serious big-wave surfers will prioritize May-September for the largest swells, while those looking for slightly more manageable conditions with fewer wind issues might prefer March-April or October-November.

August at Teahupoo offers powerful and consistent surf, with an average swell height of 2.1m and a strong, clean period of 12.7s, ensuring well-organized, hollow waves. The primary swell direction is from the SSW, where the majority of waves (14.82% in the 1.5-2m range and 13.57% in the 2-2.5m range) provide ideal conditions for heavy barrels. Larger sets over 2.5m occur 0.73% of the time, catering to experienced surfers seeking serious challenge. Winds are favorable 32% of the time, predominantly from the ENE to ESE at manageable speeds (10-30kph), keeping the surface clean. However, stronger easterly trade winds (20-40kph) can occasionally create rough conditions, particularly when paired with larger swells. Overall, August delivers world-class surf—perfect for advanced surfers ready for steep drops and deep tube rides—but requires careful wind monitoring to score the best sessions.