Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 12 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
21.4° C
0.9° 

Papa Tangaroa surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 13 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, W swell with 1,738 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period with SSE 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 (Jul 13) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 11s. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Mon 13th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 11s
Best Surf 3AM (Mon 13th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 11s
Most Powerful 6PM (Tue 14th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.


Right, let's have a look at what's on the cards for Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa). This one's a reef break, exposed to the south swell, so it knows how to handle a bit of energy.

Alright, the opening act here is a bit of a letdown. We've got some small, weak swell coming in on Sunday the 12th, but the wind's got it all chopped up. Not worth getting wet for. The next day, Monday the 13th, now that's more like it. That south-southeast swell is hanging around 6ft, but the real story is the morning. Glassy conditions! The wind is a light westerly offshore at just 3 mph. That's a major positive. The water's sitting at 71°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The energy is moderate (1273). It's not the biggest, but with that offshore wind and an 11-second period, it's going to be clean, well-shaped, and have some punch. That Monday morning is looking like the standout of the first week, no question.

We have to wade through a lot of junk after that. Tuesday the 14th is blown out with strong winds. Wednesday the 15th has a messy cross-shore wind. Thursday the 16th sees the swell jump up to 7ft, with moderate to strong energy (2394), but the wind is cross-onshore and choppy. For an advanced reef like this, a 7ft swell with onshore wind will be a challenging, bumpy mess. Not the one.

Friday the 17th is poor again. But then, look at Saturday the 18th – the wind turns offshore from the northeast, and we get a clean 4ft swell from the west-southwest. It's a bit smaller, but with clean conditions and moderate energy (595), that's a good option for a fun, relaxed session. There's a bit of a gap over the next couple of days with onshore winds and wonky conditions, but nothing to write home about.

Now, looking further ahead, there's a real promise on the horizon. Around Wednesday the 22nd, the swell picks up again to 6ft from the west-southwest, and the wind is offshore. The energy jumps into the strong territory (2054). That carries through into Thursday the 23rd with a 7ft swell from the southwest and strong energy (2610). This is big for a reef, and definitely for experts only. The long-range call is promising, but it's far enough out that you keep an eye on the charts.

To be honest, for this break, the absolute best on offer is that glassy Monday morning the 13th. It's the perfect combination of good, clean swell and zero wind. The other chance is that clean Saturday the 18th for a quieter session. If you're an expert after a heavy one, mark your calendar for around Wednesday the 22nd, but don't book the day off work just yet.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, strong winds from the WNW by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu night, light winds from the S by Fri night).

Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
3
4
3
2
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
0
0
0
3
3
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SSE
12
1.7
SSE
12
1.7
SSE
11
1.7
SSE
11
1.5
SSE
11
1.3
SSE
11
1.1
SSE
11
1.1
WSW
13
2.5
W
10
1.9
W
10
0.8
SW
18
1.3
SSE
14
2
WSW
12
1.9
WSW
12
1.4
W
12
1.6
W
12
1.5
W
11
1.2
W
11
1.3
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
11
1.3
WSW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
461
774
764
650
540
412
275
405
1308
783
379
682
1102
1051
528
723
563
338
422
380
367
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
15
SW
10
SW
5
W
15
NNW
30
NNW
45
NW
45
WNW
30
W
25
W
25
W
25
WSW
20
WSW
10
W
30
W
35
SW
30
SW
15
S
10
NE
10
NNE
30
N
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
4:07PM0.57m
4:56AM0.93m
5:05PM0.55m
5:52AM0.91m
6:11PM0.54m
6:53AM0.87m
7:30PM0.54m
8:00AM0.82m
8:56PM0.56m
9:12AM0.78m
10:18PM0.61m
10:24AM0.74m
11:27PM0.67m
Low Tide
10:45AM0.20m
9:57PM0.09m
11:42AM0.20m
10:51PM0.12m
12:44PM0.20m
11:52PM0.17m
1:51PM0.20m
1:06AM0.22m
3:00PM0.20m
2:32AM0.26m
4:06PM0.18m
4:02AM0.27m
5:05PM0.16m
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:06
8:06
8:06
8:04
8:04
8:04
8:04
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:38
6:39
6:39
6:40
6:40
6:42
6:42
 mm
1
1
1
3
Temp °C
18
18
18
17
19
20
21
22
21
21
21
21
20
20
20
20
19
19
19
19
21
Feels °C
15
15
17
16
17
14
15
18
18
19
19
19
18
20
20
15
15
15
19
17
18
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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

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