Surf Forecasts:
Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 8,085 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s 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 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 16s. 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 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down what’s cookin’ at Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa). This is a proper reef, not for the faint of heart, and it faces south for the swell. Water temp is about 69°, which is dead average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
First few days? Total washout. Sunday and Monday have the wind howling out of the NW at 25-28 mph, ruining any chance of clean waves. The surf is small and the energy is weak (609-989). Don’t even bother.
Tuesday, the 25th of August, is the first sign of life. The swell jumps to 13 feet from the WSW, with a 15-second period. The energy is massive (7842), and the wind drops to a gentle breeze, but it’s still cross-onshore, so it’s choppy. It’s a marginal call for the brave. The afternoon stays big but gets more cross-shore, losing points.
Wednesday and Thursday stay in the 7-10 foot range, but the wind is either cross-on or cross-shore, keeping the surface lumpy. The energy is still strong (1265-2665), but it’s not the clean stuff you want.
The one to circle is Saturday, the 29th of August. The wind finally swings offshore out of the north, blowing 12-18 mph, and the ocean cleans right up. The swell is a solid 6-6 feet from the SW, with an 11-second period. The energy is strong (1582), and the conditions are excellent for the experienced crew – glassy, lined up, and proper. The morning is the best of the best.
Sunday the 30th starts clean with a light cross-off wind and a 7-foot, 16-second groundswell (energy 2320), but the afternoon turns ugly with the wind picking up again.
The next week is for the big dogs. Monday the 31st of August has a massive 16-foot swell (energy 13550!!) but it’s hammered by strong cross-onshore winds. The afternoon of the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September are better, with the wind easing and the swell sitting at 14-15 feet from the SW, with a 15-17 second period. The energy is extreme (8427-11339), but it’s cross-shore, so you’ll be fighting a chop. Huge, powerful, and only for experts.
The first week of September sees the swell drop back to 6-8 feet with variable winds, mostly cross or cross-off, keeping it rideable but not epic. The energy drops to moderate (1224-3090).
The standout is clear: Saturday morning, 29th of August. Offshore wind, clean lines, and a solid SW swell. That’s your session. The second week has size for the brave, but it’s rough.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the W by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | W 9 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 261 | 547 | 719 | 777 | 2545 | 8085 | 7842 | 5875 | 3682 | 2658 | 2073 | 1562 | 1264 | 1162 | 1234 | 928 | 913 | 911 | 806 | 663 | 773 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | off | off | off |
High Tide | 2:52PM0.56m | 3:17AM0.79m | 3:15PM0.55m | 3:44AM0.77m | 3:42PM0.54m | 4:14AM0.74m | 4:14PM0.52m | 4:50AM0.70m | 4:56PM0.51m | 5:36AM0.65m | 5:59PM0.49m | 6:39AM0.59m | 7:38PM0.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:22AM0.21m | 8:37PM0.17m | 9:48AM0.23m | 9:01PM0.19m | 10:16AM0.25m | 9:28PM0.20m | 10:49AM0.28m | 10:02PM0.23m | 11:28AM0.30m | 10:44PM0.27m | 12:20PM0.32m | 11:48PM0.32m | 1:31PM0.34m | 1:38AM0.35m | |||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — |
 | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:02 | — |
mm | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 261 | 333 | 719 | 777 | 2545 | 8085 | 7842 | 5875 | 3682 | 2658 | 2073 | 1562 | 1264 | 1162 | 1234 | 928 | 913 | 911 | 806 | 663 | 773 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | WSW 11 | SSE 10 | SW 20 | — | — | — | NNW 13 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | SSW 20 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 10 |
| kJ | 252 | 547 | 273 | 20 | 552 | — | — | — | 17 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 37 | 60 | 113 | 201 | 326 | 692 | 565 | 256 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | N 9 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 12 | NW 12 | S 12 | S 10 | — | NW 11 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 96 | 109 | 44 | 2 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 11 | 8 | — | 5 | 84 | 150 | 138 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 |
| kJ | 866 | 679 | 934 | 720 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3525 | 3525 | 3610 | 3577 | 3577 | 12 | 2 | 3666 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 3610 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3577 | 3610 |
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
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