Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
20.9° C
0.8° 

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 3 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with 7,393 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s 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 03) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Papa Tangaroa in the next 16 days are 5.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Mon 3rd Aug)8ft (2.5m) 16s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 3rd Aug)8ft (2.5m) 16s
Most Powerful12AM (Wed 5th Aug)18ft (5.5m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, crew, Rusty here. Let's break it down.

We’ve got one spot on the map for the next two weeks, and it’s a proper reef wave for the experienced guys. This ain't for the beginners.

Water temp is sitting at 70°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so nothing special.

The first real chance of a wave comes in on Monday, August 3rd. Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa) is looking at a solid 6ft SW groundswell pushing through with a very long 17-second period. The combined energy is moderate (2732). The morning is the pick with a light offshore NNW breeze at 6 mph, so the face will be clean and lined up. This is proper, powerful reef surf and only for advanced surfers. Afternoon sees the wind swing onshore and the swell jump to 8ft, making it choppy and messy.

Tuesday the 4th is a write-off, and Wednesday the 5th is a gamble with a stormy 12ft swell and strong winds. The swell is too big and the wind is too cranky. Thursday through the weekend looks poor with onshore winds and messy conditions.

The next real standout isn't until the second week. On Thursday, August 13th, the afternoon session looks exceptional. We’ve got a clean 7ft SW groundswell (15 seconds) with a light offshore NE breeze at 6 mph. The combined energy is moderate (1941). This will be a clean, rippable wave for experienced surfers at Papa Tangaroa.

Then Friday the 14th through Sunday the 16th looks like a windswell event for the diehards. A big 12ft SW swell (14 seconds) arrives with a strong offshore N wind at 22-25 mph. The combined energy jumps to strong (4965). The waves will be clean but the wind is so strong it’ll be hard to paddle into. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s a battle.

Monday, August 17th has potential with an 12ft SSW swell and a moderate cross-offshore breeze, offering another clean, powerful window for the advanced crew.

Overall, the best bets are the Monday morning of the 3rd and the Thursday afternoon of the 13th. The rest is either too big, too windy, or too messy for the average surfer.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Mon morning, near gales from the N by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the ESE on Thu morning, light winds from the SSW by Sat night).

Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
0
0
0
2
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SW
17
2.5
SW
16
2.4
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
3
SSE
10
5.5
SSE
11
3.5
SSE
10
3.5
S
11
3
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
11
3
SE
10
3
SE
10
2.5
SE
9
3
SE
10
2.5
SE
11
2.1
SE
10
1.8
SE
10
1.3
SSE
9
0.9
SW
13
1.1
SE
8
1.1
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1638
3668
2629
1761
1980
7393
2458
2912
1614
2546
2026
1584
1187
1724
1487
934
609
276
261
160
566
Wind (km/h)
10
NNW
15
E
30
N
20
WSW
25
SSW
50
NW
40
NNE
30
ENE
40
SE
50
ESE
50
SE
40
SSE
40
SSE
35
S
30
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
20
S
20
S
15
S
15
S
Wind State
off
cross
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
High Tide
10:51AM0.60m
11:46PM0.64m
11:40AM0.60m
00:24AM0.72m
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
Low Tide
5:16PM0.26m
5:54AM0.30m
5:50PM0.22m
6:44AM0.26m
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
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
mod rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
light rain
light rain
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:56
7:56
7:54
7:54
7:52
7:52
7:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:50
6:51
6:51
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:52
 mm
10
1
4
3
6
3
4
2
1
3
Temp °C
18
20
20
19
19
19
20
20
20
19
19
19
18
18
18
19
19
19
18
19
19
Feels °C
18
20
18
16
16
11
15
15
14
11
11
11
11
12
12
15
17
17
16
17
17
  • 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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