Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu at Papa Tangaroa.

This is a heavy, exposed reef break that only the advanced crew should even think about. The water temperature is running about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

The week starts rough. Monday morning, 3rd August, is the only real window early on. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the southwest, a very long 17-second period, and glassy conditions. Combined energy is a massive 3623, so there’s plenty of grunt. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, but it’s a reef setup, so that long period means the waves will be thumping and lining up, not mush. After that, it goes to hell. Tuesday through to Saturday morning is a write-off – strong winds, big messy swell, nothing but blown-out junk. The swell is over 8ft all that time, so it’s expert-only even if the wind was good, which it isn’t.

Sunday the 9th August offers a brief reprieve. Morning shows 5ft from the southeast with a 10-second period and glassy conditions. That’s clean, but the energy is only 664, so it’s a lot weaker. It’s a solid option if you’re desperate.

Now, the real standout. Monday the 10th August. The morning session is the pick of the whole forecast. We’re looking at 5ft from the southwest, but with an 18-second period – that’s very long period groundswell. Winds are calm, glassy as a mirror. Combined energy is 3150. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The long period will make it powerful and lined up on the reef, but the size is manageable. Get on it.

Tuesday the 11th gets messy again with onshore winds, and the rest of that week is a mixed bag. Thursday the 13th August morning is worth a mention: 6ft from the southwest, 13-second period, with a gentle offshore wind from the north. That’s clean and fun, energy is 1656. It’s a solid runner-up.

After that, the second week from the 14th onward is mostly marginal. There’s surf, but the wind is rarely cooperating fully. A few sessions have cross-offshore winds, but the swell is either too big or the wind is too strong. Nothing screams “drop everything and go.”

So, bottom line: Monday 10th August morning is the one. If you can’t make that, Thursday 13th August morning is your next best bet. The rest of the 16 days is mostly a battle with the wind.

Rusty.

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