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 May, Teahupoo offers solid surf conditions with an average swell height of 2.0m and a strong average period of 13.3s, indicating powerful, well-formed waves. The predominant swell directions are from the SSW (42.3% of waves between 1.5-2.5m) and S (15.9% in the same range), delivering clean, steep walls ideal for advanced surfers. The wind is favorable 39% of the time, with lighter offshore or cross-offshore winds mainly from the W to NW (under 20kph in 70-80% of cases). However, ESE to SE winds (over 20kph) occur about 20-25% of the time, potentially creating choppy conditions. Expect consistent head-high to double-overhead waves (1.5-2.5m) on most days, with larger sets when SSW swells exceed 2.5m (0.7%). Wind protection from the land helps keep conditions clean, especially in the morning. Overall, May is a reliable month for heavy, barreling waves at Teahupoo, though wind shifts can occasionally disrupt quality.