🇵🇫 TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA

Teahupo'o

The heaviest wave on Earth — a slab of pure consequence

SMALL

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

5ft waves — with 11s mixed swell — swell direction is wrong for this spot, expect poor shape — 4mph onshore wind roughing up the surface — Note: this is outside the peak season for this spot

LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Why it's SMALL

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 128° — wrong angle. This spot needs 225° swells to break properly.

Swell Period

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

Wind

4mph onshore — light but will soften wave shape

Season

September is shoulder season — spot can still work but swells are less consistent

Data Confidence

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

At the Break

4.5ft

LOW CONFIDENCE

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Period

11s

Mid-period

Wind

4mph

ONSHORE

Water

79°F

Boardshorts

Swell Direction

15%

Wind Direction

35%

Primary Swell

3.3ft @ 7.8s

SE 128°

Secondary Swell

2.4ft @ 12.4s

S 169°

9 Day Outlook

5.0ft

TODAY

Sep 12

(11s)

4.9ft

TMRW

Sep 13

(11s)

4.5ft

MON

Sep 14

(13s)

5.4ft

TUE

Sep 15

(13s)

7.7ft

WED

Sep 16

(14s)

8.9ft

THU

Sep 17

(13s)

9.1ft

FRI

Sep 18

(13s)

9.4ft

SAT

Sep 19

(11s)

9.1ft

SUN

Sep 20

(10s)

Best this week: FRI Sep 18 — 9.1ft

Best next week: SAT Sep 19 — 9.4ft

Incoming Swell Events

Today

moderate

Swell building to 5.0ft @ 11s

Day 5

solid

Swell building to 7.7ft @ 14s

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)4.3ft

ICON (35%)4.9ft

GFS (20%)No data

Model confidence65%

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: Sep

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.