Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 28 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
20.7° C
0.5° 

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 28 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 11s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 11s period, ESE swell with 8,503 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period with SSW 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 12s. 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 6.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 30th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf 6PM (Tue 4th Aug)20ft (6.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 6PM (Tue 4th Aug)20ft (6.0m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s some serious energy brewing later on for those who can handle it.

The first few days are a write-off. Tuesday and Wednesday are blown out with messy onshore winds and poor surf, so don’t even bother. The first real window opens up Thursday the 30th of July. It’s not big, but early morning at Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa) you’ll find clean 4ft SSW swell with a 12-second period. The light WNW breeze is just about perfect, making for some clean, rippable walls. The water temp is a comfortable 69°F—right on the money for this time of year so no surprises there. The swell energy is moderate (1009), but the quality is there for the experienced surfer. This is a good one to get the rust off.

The rest of that week and into the weekend stays clean but small and a bit inconsistent. The winds are cross-off, keeping the surface tidy, but the swell just doesn’t have the juice. The energy drops into the 700-900 range, and the waves are hanging around 5ft to 6ft. It’s surfable, but nothing to get excited about.

Now, hold on to your board. Things get interesting starting Monday the 3rd of August. A big, long-period groundswell is on the way. Monday morning shows 6ft SSW swell at a very long 16 seconds, and the energy is already cranking (2585). The wind is light offshore from the NNE, so the lineup will be clean. By Monday afternoon, it’s a full-on 8ft SSW blast with the same long period, and the wind is fresh offshore. This is proper, powerful groundswell—the kind that makes the reef light up. The energy is massive (4124). This is a standout for experienced surfers only.

Tuesday the 4th of August is the peak of the swell. It’s a beast. We’re looking at 13ft ESE swell in the morning with a near gale-force offshore wind. The energy is off the charts (4467). By the afternoon, it jumps to 18ft with a 11-second period and a near gale howling offshore. The energy is absolutely pumping (7568). This is expert territory, and even then, paddling in will be a mission. The reef will be thick and heavy. If you’re not solid, stay on the beach and watch the show.

The swell drops a bit for Wednesday the 5th of August, with 12ft SE swell and strong offshore winds. It’s still big and clean, but it’s less of a struggle than Tuesday. The energy is still strong (3323). By Thursday the 6th, the swell settles back to a clean 5ft SW groundswell with a 13-second period and light winds. The energy is moderate (1194), making for a fun, mellow morning session for the experienced crew.

The second week sees a few more clean days. Friday the 7th of August is a nice little one for the crew: 3ft SW swell with a 12-second period, and a light offshore breeze. The energy is weak (564), but the conditions are excellent for a small-wave cruiser. The water temp anomaly is still normal. Saturday the 8th starts with a fresh offshore breeze and 4ft SW groundswell with a very long 17-second period, but the lumpy cross-onshore winds ruin it by the afternoon.

After that, it’s a long stretch of poor conditions. From Sunday the 9th right through Tuesday the 11th, the winds are onshore or cross-shore, and the swell is messy. The energy is moderate to strong, but it’s all wind chop. It’s a solid week of ugly surf. Not worth the paddle.

Finally, things clean up again on Wednesday the 12th of August. A solid 10ft SW swell with a 13-second period and light offshore winds from the NW. The energy is strong (2757), and the conditions are clean. This is another standout for the experts. The swell is still powerful, so it’s not for the faint of heart.

That’s the long and short of it. The best bets are Monday the 3rd through Thursday the 6th for the big stuff, and then Wednesday the 12th for another clean, powerful session. The small stuff early on is a nice warm-up, but the real story is the heavy groundswell.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 18°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Wed night, fresh winds from the WNW by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 21°C on Sat night, min 18°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
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
0
0
0
0
1
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
2
4
3
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WSW
10
1.4
WSW
10
1.2
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.5
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.3
SSW
12
1.4
SW
11
1
WSW
11
1.7
WSW
9
2.1
WSW
10
2.1
WSW
10
1.7
W
10
1.8
W
10
2.5
WSW
12
1.8
SW
12
1.7
W
12
1.5
SSW
12
1.7
SSW
16
2.5
SSW
16
2.4
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
500
370
573
651
724
492
441
455
243
463
919
901
550
587
1924
910
802
647
1408
3329
2510
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
15
SSW
25
SW
20
SW
25
SW
10
SW
10
WNW
25
NW
30
WNW
30
WNW
25
WNW
25
NW
25
NW
30
NW
25
NW
25
NW
30
NNW
10
NW
20
NNW
30
NNE
25
NNE
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
5:01PM0.48m
5:44AM0.73m
5:49PM0.46m
6:30AM0.70m
6:58PM0.45m
7:28AM0.66m
8:33PM0.46m
8:38AM0.63m
10:01PM0.50m
9:49AM0.61m
11:01PM0.57m
10:51AM0.60m
11:46PM0.64m
Low Tide
11:59AM0.30m
10:34PM0.26m
12:47PM0.32m
11:14PM0.29m
1:46PM0.33m
00:08AM0.33m
2:52PM0.32m
1:34AM0.37m
3:52PM0.31m
3:23AM0.37m
4:39PM0.29m
4:51AM0.35m
5:16PM0.26m
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:00
7:58
7:58
7:58
7:58
7:56
7:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:46
6:47
6:47
6:49
6:49
6:50
6:50
 mm
2
6
4
5
20
Temp °C
19
19
19
19
19
19
18
19
19
20
20
20
20
20
21
21
21
20
18
18
17
Feels °C
17
17
16
16
15
16
17
16
15
17
18
18
18
17
18
18
17
19
16
15
15
  • 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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