Surf Forecasts:
Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,532 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Papa Tangaroa this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Papa Tangaroa in the next 16 days are 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's shaping up for Tanga-Roa, and it's a bit of a mixed bag. We've got some serious energy coming but the wind is going to be the big talking point.
Alright, let's start with the only spot we have to look at, and that's Papa Tangaroa. This is an advanced reef break, and it's fairly consistent. The water temp right now is looking a bit different from the norm for this time of year, but nothing wild. The real story is the swell, which is predominantly from the south, and that's a good direction for this spot.
The first few days are a bit of a write-off for quality surfing. Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th have proper size, with 7ft to 10ft of swell from the SW, but the wind is a mess. It's cross-onshore and choppy, making it pretty unsurfable. Wait, actually, the best window in the near term looks to be Monday the 17th. While the swell drops a little to 6ft from the SW, the wind is forecasted to be glassy in the morning. That is a major positive, so expect very good, clean conditions at a spot that handles this size well. That morning session is the standout for the first week.
Then we get a run of poor conditions for a few days before things get interesting again. We've got a lot of wind and not much else until we look ahead. The big one on the horizon is Tuesday the 25th of August. That morning we’re looking at a massive 13ft SW swell, with combined energy readings of 8237, which is very strong. It's going to be big and powerful. The wind is still cross-onshore from the SE, which keeps the score from being perfect, but the sheer size could be on for expert surfers if the tide lines up. The afternoon session on the 25th is a bit better, with a 13ft SW swell and the energy still very high at 7018.
Wednesday the 27th of August is also a promising prospect, with 7ft to 8ft SW swell and cross-offshore winds from the NE. That's a good sign for clean faces. That looks like a fun, manageable day too.
So, to wrap it up: The first week, aim for Monday morning the 17th for the cleanest, most user-friendly waves. For the big-league stuff, keep an eye on Tuesday the 25th for a massive swell, but it's for experts only, and Thursday the 27th for a cleaner, smaller, but still very solid day. The wind is the main character here, so keep checking that.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat night, min 17°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Thu morning, strong winds from the NNE by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 78mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the N on Sun night, light winds from the W by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1929 | 2004 | 2096 | 3197 | 3294 | 2536 | 1544 | 1037 | 444 | 453 | 350 | 647 | 984 | 961 | 1594 | 1497 | 1028 | 762 | 923 | 735 | 808 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 6:58PM0.55m | 7:34AM0.71m | 8:34PM0.57m | 8:59AM0.66m | 10:04PM0.62m | 10:20AM0.64m | 11:13PM0.68m | 11:26AM0.64m | 00:06AM0.74m | 12:18PM0.63m | 00:49AM0.78m | 1:00PM0.63m | 1:25AM0.81m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:08PM0.24m | 00:48AM0.26m | 2:24PM0.25m | 2:29AM0.29m | 3:40PM0.24m | 4:10AM0.28m | 4:44PM0.21m | 5:28AM0.25m | 5:36PM0.19m | 6:27AM0.21m | 6:18PM0.17m | 7:14AM0.19m | 6:54PM0.16m | ||||||||
7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | |
— | 6:54 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 32 | 26 | 12 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 |
1929 | 2004 | 2096 | 3197 | 3294 | 2536 | 1544 | 1037 | 444 | 453 | 350 | 647 | 1341 | 961 | 1594 | 1497 | 1028 | 762 | 923 | 735 | 469 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | W 13 | W 11 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
20 | 20 | 10 | 32 | 20 | 28 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 12 | 92 | 426 | 512 | 314 | 413 | 190 | 86 | 84 | 64 | 518 | 808 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | ESE 10 | — | SW 18 | SW 16 | SE 9 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NW 8 | W 8 | SW 19 | ENE 8 | E 8 |
12 | 17 | 14 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | — | 12 | 95 | 3 | 984 | 452 | 210 | 121 | 69 | 90 | 361 | 85 | 98 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NE 5 | NNE 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | — | NW 10 | — | SW 5 | — | — | SSE 4 | SE 4 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 106 | 398 | 928 | 1264 | 1688 | — | 920 | — | 45 | — | — | 36 | 19 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3541 | 3541 | 3525 | 3541 | 3525 | 3525 | 3541 | 3541 | 3525 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3525 | 3525 | 3525 |
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











