
Surf Forecasts:
Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 11s period, SE swell with 6,152 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 18s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Papa Tangaroa this week:
The surf forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 2.2m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Papa Tangaroa in the next 16 days are 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Tanga-Roa.
First week is a total bust. Starting Wednesday the 5th of August, we’ve got gale-force onshores and heavy rain, with thunderstorms. The swell is huge – 15ft to 16ft from the SSE – but the wind is just tearing it apart. Wave energy is massive (4878 to 6719), but it’s all noise. This mess carries through Thursday and Friday with near gale cross-onshore winds. Saturday the 8th is still rough, with a fresh breeze and lumpy surf. Sunday the 9th drops to 5ft but it’s still onshore and weak.
Now, Monday the 10th of August is the real deal. Papa Tangaroa (Tahiti) – this reef break is the pick. Morning is glassy, with a 6ft SW groundswell at 18 seconds. That’s deep-water energy, and the combined swell energy is 4355 – strong. Glassy conditions are a dream. The afternoon picks up to 8ft SW, same long 18-second period, with a light cross-off breeze and clean surf. Water temp is 69°F, pretty normal for this time of year. This is exceptional for experienced and expert surfers, and crowds are rare – you’ll have plenty of room. That 18-second period will make it stand up on the reef, so it’s one for the skilled crew.
Tuesday the 11th goes back to poor with fresh cross-onshore winds wrecking that 8ft SW swell. Wednesday and Thursday the 12th and 13th improve with light onshore winds, holding 8ft SW with 13-15 second periods, but it’s only marginal due to tide. Wave energy is still solid (2224 to 3269).
Friday the 14th of August is another standout. Offshore N winds, light to moderate, with a 10ft SW swell at 14 seconds. Clean, powerful – excellent for experienced surfers. Energy is high (3148 to 3903). Saturday the 15th stays clean with cross-off winds, but the swell jumps to 12ft SW – that’s expert-only territory. Energy hits 3444-4108.
Sunday the 16th of August is massive: 13ft SW swell at 16 seconds, fresh cross-off winds, and a combined energy of 7219. This is a serious groundswell. Only for the strong and skilled. After that, Monday the 17th turns messy again with strong winds, and the run fades to smaller, marginal surf through to Thursday the 20th.
In the second week, Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th are the ones to watch – big, clean SW groundswell but not for beginners.
Best call: Monday the 10th of August at Papa Tangaroa for that glassy, long-period SW swell. For the big-wave crew, Sunday the 16th. Catch ya later.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 82mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed night, min 16°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (gales from the SSE on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat morning, calm by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4878 | 6022 | 5094 | 3930 | 3675 | 2536 | 2810 | 2508 | 2204 | 1931 | 1686 | 749 | 377 | 275 | 1377 | 2100 | 3123 | 4461 | 3441 | 2648 | 2085 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 12:23PM0.60m | 1:01AM0.80m | 1:02PM0.61m | 1:38AM0.87m | 1:40PM0.61m | 2:17AM0.91m | 2:19PM0.61m | 2:58AM0.94m | 3:01PM0.61m | 3:42AM0.93m | 3:46PM0.60m | 4:28AM0.90m | 4:38PM0.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:22PM0.17m | 7:27AM0.22m | 6:56PM0.13m | 8:08AM0.19m | 7:33PM0.09m | 8:49AM0.17m | 8:12PM0.07m | 9:32AM0.16m | 8:53PM0.07m | 10:17AM0.17m | 9:39PM0.09m | 11:06AM0.19m | 10:30PM0.13m | ||||||||
7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | |
— | 6:51 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:53 | — | |
mm | 27 | 37 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
18 | 326 | 810 | 767 | 694 | 613 | 826 | 1213 | 2204 | 1931 | 1686 | 749 | 377 | 275 | 1377 | 2053 | 3123 | 4461 | 3441 | 2648 | 2085 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 12 | SW 16 | NNW 11 | NE 9 | NE 9 | SW 21 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SE 9 | SW 18 | WSW 14 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
14 | 371 | 12 | 21 | 21 | 355 | 380 | 272 | 886 | 528 | 404 | 285 | 218 | 271 | 328 | 2100 | 1997 | 193 | 419 | 388 | 235 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 12 | NE 9 | SW 23 | SSW 22 | SW 20 | ENE 9 | NNW 10 | NE 8 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SSE 15 | ENE 8 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 10 | — | — | SSE 12 |
13 | 19 | 21 | 45 | 105 | 30 | 10 | 18 | 121 | 20 | 85 | 13 | 109 | 205 | 244 | 202 | 105 | 115 | — | — | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | — | — | — | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | S 6 |
4878 | 6022 | 5094 | 3930 | 3675 | 2536 | 2810 | 2508 | — | — | — | 192 | 104 | 42 | — | — | — | — | 31 | 104 | 94 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3677 | 3541 | 3525 | 3525 | 3525 | 3602 | 3562 | 3541 | 3541 | 3541 | 3525 | 3515 | 3525 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3580 | 3664 | 12 | 12 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Easter Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Papa Tangaroa Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Papa Tangaroa provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Papa Tangaroa can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Papa Tangaroa 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 (Papa Tangaroa) 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 Papa Tangaroa 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 Easter Island? If you are looking for accommodation near Tanga Roa, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Easter Island, consider staying in Caleton which is 7 km (4 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Easter Island which is 11 km (7 miles) away











