🇵🇫 TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA

Teahupo'o

The heaviest wave on Earth — a slab of pure consequence

GOOD

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

Solid 9ft swell — with 11s mixed swell — from a workable direction — light cross-shore winds, still manageable — Note: this is outside the peak season for this spot

LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Why it's GOOD

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 194° — close to but not perfectly aligned with ideal 225°. Spot will work but not at its best.

Swell Period

11s — solid groundswell. Waves will have real energy and organization.

Wind

6mph cross-shore — not ideal but surfable if wind is light

Season

October is off-season — rare for this spot to get quality waves

Data Confidence

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

At the Break

8.8ft

LOW CONFIDENCE

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Period

11s

✓ Groundswell

Wind

6mph

CROSS-SHORE

Water

79°F

Boardshorts

Swell Direction

70%

Wind Direction

65%

Primary Swell

7.5ft @ 11.4s

SSW 194°

Secondary Swell

4.5ft @ 5.2s

ESE 119°

9 Day Outlook

9.0ft

TODAY

Oct 28

(11s)

8.3ft

TMRW

Oct 29

(10s)

7.3ft

FRI

Oct 30

(8s)

6.3ft

SAT

Oct 31

(9s)

6.4ft

SUN

Nov 1

(10s)

8.1ft

MON

Nov 2

(10s)

10.4ft

TUE

Nov 3

(11s)

9.8ft

WED

Nov 4

(10s)

7.7ft

THU

Nov 5

(10s)

Best this week: TUE Nov 3 — 10.4ft

Best next week: WED Nov 4 — 9.8ft

Incoming Swell Events

Today

solid

Swell building to 9.0ft @ 11s

Day 7

epic

Major swell arriving — 10.4ft @ 11s

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)8.7ft

ICON (35%)8.9ft

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: Oct

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

You need a boat to surf — rent from a local or join a charter. Do not paddle out alone.

Respect the locals completely. This is their home and their wave.

May to August is peak season — SW swells from Antarctic storms.

The reef is extremely shallow — booties are recommended, a helmet is smart.

The Olympic broadcast venue (the tower) is permanently there now — great for watching.