Surf Forecasts:
Motuau Island surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, E swell with 671 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Motuau Island this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Motuau Island in the next 16 days are 2.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 16s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-10) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Motuau Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what we're working with for Motuau Island over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it's a tough stretch ahead for the Motuau Island reef. We're looking at a long dry spell of poor conditions. The first solid week is a write-off—strong, cross-shore winds in the 18 to 28 mph range are making a mess of things, so you can leave the boards in the shed. The swell is hanging around 5 ft to 7 ft from the east, with a short, unappealing 8-second period, but the wind is the real killer here. The water temp is sitting at 79°, which is pretty average for this time of year. The combined wave energy is moderate to strong early on, hitting 614 (moderate energy) on the Sunday, but it's all for nothing with that wind.
The pattern barely lets up through the first week of September. We get a slight drop in wind strength by Tuesday the 1st, but the swell drops to a weak 4 ft and the cross-shore wind is still putting chop on the surface.
The second week finally offers a glimmer. Monday morning the 7th of September, we get a clean window. The wind swings offshore from the south at a gentle 9 mph, and the waves are a small but clean 3 ft from the east. It's not a standout by any means, but it's the first surfable session we've seen. The energy is weak (172 combined energy). Tuesday the 8th is also surfable with light offshore winds and 3 ft waves, but it's ordinary. Then Wednesday the 9th goes glassy—almost flat with a tiny 2 ft swell and no wind—but there's just no energy (44 combined energy) to push any waves through. The last few days of the outlook stay small, weak, and mostly cross-shore.
If you're desperate, the very best on offer is the Monday the 7th. It's clean with that light south offshore wind, but keep your expectations in check—it's small, weak, and the only real highlight in a long, poor forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 23°C on Sat afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ESE on Sat afternoon, moderate winds from the E by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Tue afternoon). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the ESE on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the E by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 555 | 654 | 671 | 616 | 505 | 443 | 396 | 264 | 186 | 161 | 190 | 223 | 185 | 260 | 260 | 314 | 270 | 359 | 359 | 307 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:37AM0.32m | 1:58PM0.33m | 1:54AM0.30m | 2:20PM0.31m | 2:10AM0.28m | 2:41PM0.27m | 2:21AM0.26m | 2:58PM0.22m | 2:17AM0.22m | 2:43PM0.17m | 1:00AM0.20m | 10:07AM0.17m | 11:05PM0.22m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:45PM0.04m | 7:47AM0.02m | 8:06PM0.06m | 8:10AM0.04m | 8:26PM0.09m | 8:34AM0.06m | 8:42PM0.12m | 8:58AM0.09m | 8:42PM0.15m | 9:21AM0.13m | 6:05PM0.16m | 6:31AM0.16m | 4:38PM0.12m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 392 | 382 | 287 | 191 | 183 | 108 | 69 | 67 | 186 | 161 | 17 | 32 | 79 | 129 | 186 | 214 | 301 | 477 | 465 | 331 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | NW 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | N 16 | NE 16 | NE 15 | NE 14 | NNE 13 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 31 | 30 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 17 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | S 19 | S 19 | S 19 | — | — | S 21 | S 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | NE 17 | S 22 | W 12 | W 18 | N 11 | N 14 |
| kJ | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | — | — | 9 | 8 | 15 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 555 | 654 | 671 | 616 | 505 | 443 | 396 | 264 | — | — | 190 | 223 | 185 | 260 | 260 | 314 | 270 | 359 | 359 | 307 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2596 | 2479 | 2596 | 1162 | 1162 | 1160 | 1160 | 188 | 30 | 37 | 42 | 3528 | 1163 | 2596 | 2596 | 2596 | 2596 | 2596 | 2596 | 2286 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Tahiti | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in French Polynesia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Motuau Island Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Motuau Island provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Motuau Island can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Motuau Island surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Motuau Island) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Motuau Island may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Tahiti? If you are looking for accommodation near Motuau Island, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Tahiti, consider staying in Papeete which is 14 km (9 miles) away. Other places in and around Tahiti where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Faaa which is 15 km (9 miles) away and Punaauia, 21 km (13 miles) away.
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