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.

October at Teahupoo delivers powerful, high-quality surf with a mean swell height of 1.9m and a strong average period of 12.8s, ensuring well-defined, powerful waves. The dominant swell direction is from the SSW, which produces the best conditions, with 20.28% of swells in the 1.5-2m range and 15.24% in the 2-2.5m range—prime size for serious surfers. Larger swells (over 2.5m) are less frequent but still present (0.42% from SSW). The SE-SSW quadrants are most active, contributing the majority of rideable waves, while swells from other directions are negligible. Wind conditions are favorable 38% of the time, typically light to moderate (0-20kph) from ENE to ESE, which helps maintain clean faces. Stronger winds (20-40kph) from the E-ESE occur but can create chop. Offshore winds (light W-WNW) are rare but ideal when they align. Overall, October offers consistent, high-energy surf with a mix of mid-sized and larger swells, though wind quality is variable. Advanced surfers will find plenty of opportunities, but conditions demand respect due to the spot’s power and occasionalsizeable waves.