Surf Forecasts:
Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 9,235 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s 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 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 17s. 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 Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (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 have a look at what's on the table for our little slice of the Pacific.
The window starts off a bit rough, but we've got a solid Saturday morning that's the real standout. It's not all smooth sailing, but for the patient surfer, there's a reward.
The first real action is on Saturday, 29 August – morning. Head to Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa). The swell is a solid 7 ft from the SW, with a period of 10 seconds. That's a nice, clean groundswell. The wind is dead calm – glassy conditions. The water temp is about average for the time of year. The combined energy is pumping at 1744. This is clean, lined-up surf for experienced surfers. The wind is glass, so it's just you and the swell. It's a reef break that's fairly consistent, so expect some good ones. This is your best bet.
Saturday afternoon keeps it going with a 6 ft SW swell and a moderate offshore wind from the N. It'll be clean, just a bit less powerful than the morning.
Sunday, 30 August is a write-off. The wind cranks up from the SW, cross-onshore, and the sea gets lumpy. Even the afternoon has a weird 17-second period swell that's too long for the cross-shore wind to handle. Not worth the paddle.
Monday, 31 August sees a massive jump in energy – 8666 in the morning and 8331 in the afternoon – with 13 ft SW swell. But the wind is cross to cross-onshore, making it a messy, choppy beast. This is for experts only, and even then, it's a battle. The period is 16-17 seconds, which is very long, and at a reef break, it could be a bit too straight and hard to read.
Tuesday, 1 September is still big, around 12 ft, but the wind is consistently cross-onshore. Poor conditions.
Wednesday, 2 September drops down to 10 ft, but the wind is right onshore in the morning. The afternoon is a bit better at 8 ft, but still a marginal tide.
Thursday, 3 September the swell drops to 6 ft, with a cross-onshore wind. Not great.
Friday, 4 September sees a 8 ft SW swell with a 16-second period, but the wind is cross-shore. The energy is 2802, but the quality is marginal.
Saturday, 5 September is similar – 8 ft SW, 17-second period, cross-shore wind. A lot of energy (3179), but not clean.
Sunday, 6 September the swell holds at 8 ft, but the wind is cross-onshore. Choppy.
Monday, 7 September back to poor conditions with cross-onshore wind.
Tuesday, 8 September offers a glimmer – 8 ft SW swell with a cross-shore wind. Marginal.
Wednesday, 9 September – afternoon is another standout. The wind drops to dead calm – glassy again. The swell is 6 ft from the SW with a 12-second period. Excellent, clean conditions for experienced surfers. The energy is 1278. This is a solid, clean session.
Thursday, 10 September is marginal. The morning has a 7 ft S swell with cross-shore wind, and the afternoon has a 5 ft SW swell with a 16-second period and a clean cross-offshore wind. The long period is worth noting.
Friday, 11 September brings a fresh offshore wind from the N, but it's 22-25 mph. The swell is 10 ft SSW with a 15-second period. That's a strong, clean offshore wind, but it's so strong it'll be hard to paddle into. The energy is 3432. For experts only, and it's a mission.
Saturday, 12 September has a 7 ft SW swell with a clean cross-offshore wind, but it's a strong breeze at 25 mph. Again, a tough paddle.
The best of the bunch is clearly Saturday, 29 August morning with that glassy 7 ft SW swell. The Wednesday, 9 September afternoon glass-off is a close second. The rest of the run is a mix of messy wind and big, raw energy. If you're an expert, the 11th and 12th might be worth a look for the offshore wind, but you'll be fighting the wind.
Stay safe, and don't get caught inside on that big Monday swell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat night, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, strong winds from the WNW by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun night, min 16°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 16 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1591 | 1446 | 1291 | 1028 | 820 | 759 | 1140 | 795 | 1147 | 5085 | 8289 | 8277 | 6621 | 4517 | 4310 | 3949 | 3519 | 2726 | 2036 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 5:36AM0.65m | 5:59PM0.49m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:44PM0.27m | 12:20PM0.32m | 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 | |||||||
— | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:05 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 10 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
1591 | 1446 | 1291 | 1028 | 820 | 759 | 1140 | 581 | 1058 | 5085 | 8289 | 8277 | 6621 | 4517 | 4310 | 3949 | 3519 | 2726 | 2036 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 17 | S 11 | WSW 16 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 16 | — | — | — | SW 20 |
59 | 112 | 201 | 330 | 812 | 724 | 441 | 277 | 1147 | 85 | 320 | 54 | 35 | 19 | 78 | — | — | — | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 16 | S 11 | — | — | S 19 | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | — | — | 15 | 112 | 103 | 87 | 85 | 88 | 85 | 57 | — | — | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | 795 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3610 | 3610 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3610 | 3610 | 3525 | 3525 | 12 | 12 | 3525 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 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











