Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 28 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
20.9°C
1.1° 

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 29 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 9,585 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 16s. 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 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Sat 29th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 10s
Best Surf 6AM (Sat 29th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 10s
Most Powerful12PM (Mon 31st Aug)13ft (4.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s talk surf in feet and degrees.

First up, we’ve got a solid window, but it’s not for the faint of heart. The main event is Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa). This is a heavy reef break, advanced only. Saturday, August 29th morning is glassy with a 5 km/h NE wind, and the swell is a solid 7ft from the SW with a 10-second period. The combined energy is strong at 1823. That’s the cleanest, most powerful session of the whole forecast. The afternoon holds up with a moderate offshore, but by Sunday, the wind turns onshore and it’s game over.

After that Saturday, a big SW swell rolls in from Sunday, August 30th, through to Tuesday, September 1st, with heights over 8ft and up to 13ft, but the wind is cross-on or onshore and strong. Water temp is about average for this time of year. The energy is huge (9466 on the 31st), but it’s a lumpy, blown-out mess. Not worth it on a reef.

The next real chance is Tuesday, September 8th. Clean conditions in the morning with a 6ft SW swell, 13-second period, and a light ENE breeze at 9 mph. The energy is moderate at 1101. The afternoon is similar with a 5ft swell. Solid for experienced surfers.

Then, Wednesday, September 9th afternoon looks good. A 6ft swell from the SW with a very long 18-second period, and a moderate offshore from the NNE at 16 mph. The energy is strong at 2987. That’s a groundswell that will line up nicely on the reef. A proper option for the advanced crew.

After that, the wind gets messy and the swell fades. The second week drops to 2ft to 3ft with poor winds. The last week is a total write-off.

So, the real standout is Saturday, August 29th morning – that’s your cleanest, most powerful bet. The backup is Wednesday, September 9th afternoon for a long-period groundswell, but it’s further out, so less certain. The rest is for the hardcore only.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat night, min 16°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, strong winds from the NW by Sat night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
4
4
2
0
1
3
0
7
6
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SW
11
2.1
SW
10
1.3
SW
15
1.6
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
2.5
WSW
10
3.5
SW
15
4
SW
17
4
SW
16
3.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
15
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
13
2.4
SW
13
2.1
SSW
12
1.6
SW
12
1
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1146
901
759
1140
1017
1293
5330
9009
8358
6689
4915
4024
3067
2967
2310
1874
1333
695
410
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
5
NE
25
N
35
NNW
35
SW
30
WSW
30
WSW
30
SW
20
WSW
20
WNW
30
SW
30
SSW
25
S
25
S
20
SSE
20
SSE
30
SE
25
ESE
20
ESE
Wind State
on
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
6:39AM0.59m
7:38PM0.50m
8:11AM0.55m
9:21PM0.55m
9:43AM0.54m
10:29PM0.63m
10:48AM0.55m
11:18PM0.71m
11:37AM0.57m
00:00AM0.79m
12:17PM0.59m
00:39AM0.85m
Low Tide
11:48PM0.32m
1:31PM0.34m
1:38AM0.35m
2:50PM0.32m
3:39AM0.33m
3:54PM0.29m
4:58AM0.28m
4:43PM0.25m
5:52AM0.22m
5:24PM0.20m
6:35AM0.17m
6:02PM0.15m
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:31
7:31
7:30
7:28
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:02
7:02
7:04
7:04
7:05
7:05
 mm
2
2
2
1
1
Temp °C
18
16
18
19
18
18
18
18
18
17
18
18
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
Feels °C
13
15
13
13
12
12
12
11
14
14
13
13
11
12
13
11
10
12
12
  • 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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