Surf Forecasts:
Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 9,281 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 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s coming up for us at Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa).
First up, we’re in for a bit of a rough patch. The water temperature is sitting at about 69°, which is roughly 2° warmer than usual for this time of year – nothing crazy, just a little warmer than average.
The start of the period is looking pretty grim. Sunday and Monday mornings are a write-off – we’ve got a big, powerful swell pumping in, with combined energy readings hitting 1928 and even 9738 (that’s some serious energy), but the wind is cross-onshore and choppy, and the surf quality is just poor. It’s not for paddling, it’s more kite-surfing territory. That big 13ft swell on Monday morning is too big for anyone but experts anyway, and even then, the onshore breeze will ruin it.
We do get a bit of a break on Tuesday, 1st September, but it’s still messy with 10ft to 12ft swell and cross-onshore wind. The middle of the week is average at best – small windows of onshore wind but nothing to get excited about.
Now, here’s a standout for those who can wait. On Tuesday, 8th September, we get a real treat. The early morning is glassy – wind from the WNW at just 3 mph, coming from offshore. That’s clean, smooth conditions. The swell is a solid 8ft from the SW, period of 13 seconds, and combined energy of 2026 – that’s a lot of power. It’s a bit much for beginners, but for experienced surfers, this is the best we’ll see. The afternoon cleans up even more with a light cross-offshore breeze. The swell direction is right on the money from the south – perfect for this reef.
After that, the surf drops off a bit. Thursday and Friday, 11th and 12th September, have some cleaner moments but the swell drops to 4ft to 6ft, and the wind picks up strong from the north. The 12th sees a 25 mph offshore wind, which makes it clean but hard to paddle into. The following week looks smaller and more inconsistent, with combined energy dropping to around 600-900, and the wind staying cross-onshore or strong.
So, if you’re after the best of the bunch, mark Tuesday, 8th September. That morning glass-off with 8ft, long-period SW swell is your window. The rest is a bit of a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun night, min 17°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1017 | 1160 | 5261 | 9281 | 8828 | 6907 | 4733 | 3830 | 2903 | 2424 | 1948 | 1847 | 1112 | 827 | 683 | 917 | 1634 | 846 | 1736 | 1526 | 1325 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 12:55PM0.60m | 1:18AM0.90m | 1:31PM0.62m | 1:56AM0.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 7:14AM0.14m | 6:40PM0.10m | 7:52AM0.12m | 7:18PM0.08m | ||||||||
7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
— | 7:02 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | WSW 10 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
1017 | 981 | 5261 | 9281 | 8828 | 6907 | 4733 | 3830 | 2903 | 2424 | 1948 | 1847 | 1112 | 827 | 683 | 917 | 1634 | 846 | 1736 | 1526 | 1325 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SW 17 | W 17 | WSW 16 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | — | S 14 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SW 20 | SSW 18 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSE 8 | SW 16 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 18 |
85 | 1160 | 140 | 400 | 36 | 33 | 19 | — | 388 | 244 | 58 | 15 | 32 | 183 | 607 | 640 | 115 | 581 | 39 | 24 | 1099 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | — | — | S 20 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 21 | — | S 10 | S 9 | NNE 7 | S 8 | NE 7 | SW 20 | S 7 |
138 | 89 | 59 | 57 | — | — | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | — | 143 | 127 | 5 | 61 | 8 | 140 | 24 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 11 | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
688 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 184 | — | — | 148 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3610 | 12 | 3525 | 12 | 12 | 3541 | 3562 | 3525 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
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











