🇵🇫 TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA
Teahupo'o
The heaviest wave on Earth — a slab of pure consequence
FIRING
Live Conditions
Conditions Summary
Solid 11ft swell — with 13s mixed swell — hitting at the ideal angle — Clean 7mph offshore winds grooming the surface
LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby
Why it's FIRING
Swell Direction
Primary swell is 201° — matches the ideal 225° window for this spot
Swell Period
13s — solid groundswell. Waves will have real energy and organization.
Wind
7mph offshore — clean, grooming the wave face
Season
June is peak season for this spot
Data Confidence
Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby
At the Break
11.1ft
LOW CONFIDENCE
Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby
Period
13s
✓ Groundswell
Wind
7mph
S
OFFSHORE
Water
81°F
Boardshorts
Swell Direction
85%
Wind Direction
85%
Primary Swell
10.2ft @ 11.2s
SSW 201°
Secondary Swell
2.4ft @ 9.8s
SE 131°
9 Day Outlook
11.0ft
TODAY
Jun 14
(13s)
10.3ft
TMRW
Jun 15
(12s)
10.7ft
TUE
Jun 16
(12s)
10.0ft
WED
Jun 17
(12s)
8.3ft
THU
Jun 18
(12s)
8.3ft
FRI
Jun 19
(12s)
8.6ft
SAT
Jun 20
(10s)
9.0ft
SUN
Jun 21
(12s)
8.5ft
MON
Jun 22
(12s)
Best this week: today — 11.0ft
Best next week: SUN Jun 21 — 9.0ft
Incoming Swell Events
Today
epic
Major swell arriving — 11.0ft @ 13s
Model Breakdown
ECMWF (45%)11.2ft
ICON (35%)10.9ft
GFS (20%)No data
Model confidence80%
Updated every 30 mins · Open-Meteo ECMWF + ICON + GFS
About
Teahupo'o is unlike any other wave on the planet. It breaks over an extremely shallow reef and produces a uniquely thick, heavy lip that can be twice the height of the face. It's not the biggest wave but it is the most consequential — respected and feared in equal measure. The 2024 Olympics brought it global attention but the locals have always known what they have.
The Break
The main peak — the left-hander that barrels over the reef at the end of the paved road.
Ideal Conditions
6-10ft SW groundswell, light SE trades, mid tide
Best Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months highlighted · Current: Jun
Trip Planner
Tahiti Long Weekend
Weekend · 3 Days
Friday
Long flight to Papeete (PPT). Boat taxi to Teahupo'o village. Check into a pension or waterfront fare.
Saturday
Watch the wave if it's pumping — even from the channel it's extraordinary. Surf the smaller inside section.
Sunday
More time in the water or watching. Fly home the following morning.
Tahiti Swell Chase
Full Week · 7 Days
Day 1
Arrive Papeete, transfer to Teahupo'o.
Day 2
Boat tour of the break, surf the channel and inside sections.
Day 3
Surf when conditions allow. Hire a local guide — essential here.
Day 4
Explore the rest of Tahiti's south coast — several great reef passes.
Day 5
Back to Chopes — go as hard as your ability allows.
Day 6
Explore the Tahitian interior or nearby Moorea.
Day 7
Fly home from Papeete.
Local Knowledge
01
You need a boat to surf — rent from a local or join a charter. Do not paddle out alone.
02
Respect the locals completely. This is their home and their wave.
03
May to August is peak season — SW swells from Antarctic storms.
04
The reef is extremely shallow — booties are recommended, a helmet is smart.
05
The Olympic broadcast venue (the tower) is permanently there now — great for watching.
Best Window
Day 1 · Jun 14
11.0ft @ 13s
FIRING
Trip Cost Estimate
Flights from NYC~$680
Hotel per night~$90
Weekend est.~$950
5 day est.~$1130
Week est.~$1310