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.

December at Teahupoo offers solid surf conditions with a promising mix of swell and wind patterns. The average swell height is 1.6m, paired with a favorable 12.1s period, ensuring powerful, well-spaced waves. The majority of swells come from the SSW, SW, and SE directions, with the SSW sector dominating—particularly in the 1.5-2.5m range, accounting for over 20% of waves. This creates consistent, sizeable walls ideal for advanced surfers. Wind conditions are surfable 44% of the time, with light to moderate easterlies (ESE-SE) being the most common. While occasional stronger ENE-E winds can create chop, the dominant SE-SSE winds are often offshore or cross-offshore, refining wave shape. Expect larger, more powerful swells to be less frequent (over 2.5m waves occur only ~0.1% of the time), but the 1.5-2.5m range delivers a solid balance of size and quality. For experienced riders, December at this spot means reliable, heavy waves with decent wind alignment—though patience may be needed for the cleanest sessions.