Pacific Islands, French Polynesia
The heaviest wave in the world, where the reef bends the ocean into a wall of water.
| Wave height | 5.0 ft (4-6 ft) |
| Swell period | 13 sec |
| Swell direction | 201° |
| Wind | ESE cross/onshore 6.3 kt |
| Tide | mid / optimal |
| Surf score | 56 / 100 |
Teahupo'o, on Tahiti's south coast, breaks on a shallow coral reef with deep water immediately outside, producing the thick, square barrels the spot is famous for. It is a fixture on the WSL Championship Tour. On the right day, the ideal swell window runs from S–SW (170–220°); groundswell with periods around 12–18s gives it the most shape; the wave is comfortably workable up to roughly 25 ft on the face. Best winds are N or NE, with E or NW still rideable. The wave is highly tide-sensitive - a small change in tide height can switch it on or off. The sweet spot in our data sits between roughly 0.4 m and 1.4 m of tide height. It is a relatively fickle wave that only really lights up on the right combination of swell, wind, and tide. Expect warm, boardshort-friendly water. Expect a busy lineup, particularly during the prime season. Logistically, it is roughly 1.5 hours from PPT airport; a boat transfer is required. This is an expert-only wave; it is heavy, hollow, and unforgiving, and the consequences of a bad wipeout are real. Board-wise, locals lean on gun / step-up.
The best window is typically Apr–Oct, when swells from S–SW (170–220°) are most consistent.
Teahupo'o can be ridden from a manageable six feet up to twenty-foot-plus 'Code Red' swells that draw international tow-in crews.
No - this is an expert-only wave and is not appropriate for learners under any conditions.