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.

In February, Teahupoo experiences solid surf with an average swell height of 1.7m and a strong period of 12.5s, delivering powerful and well-formed waves. The most dominant swell directions are from the SSW, SW, and S, with SSW swells between 1.5-2m occurring 18.5% of the time—ideal for Teahupoo’s iconic, heavy barrels. Larger sets exceeding 2.5m are relatively rare but do occur, mainly from the SSW and S. Wind conditions are favorable 45% of the time, with light to moderate offshore winds (ENE to ESE) helping to groom the waves. However, trade winds from the NE-E can pick up, occasionally creating choppy conditions. The best sessions are likely when SSW swells combine with ENE winds, keeping the faces clean. Advanced surfers will find consistent, world-class waves, but local knowledge is crucial due to the reef’s shallow and demanding nature.