Surf Forecasts:
Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 16,739 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period with WSW 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 17s. 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 5.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break down the surf for the Tanga-Roa area in the next couple of weeks.
Water temp is 70°F, which is normal for the time of year, so no surprises there.
The main event is Wednesday, July 22nd. Swell is 7ft from the SW, with a long period of 19 seconds, and the combined energy is a very strong 4891. The wind is light from the NW, keeping things clean. This is a powerful groundswell, only for the experts. The wave quality is excellent, and the reef break will handle the long period well.
The first chance to surf is Monday morning, July 20th. The swell is 4ft from the WSW with an 11-second period and a moderate combined energy of 637. The wind is offshore from the NNE, giving clean conditions. It's a solid option for most, but not the standout.
After Wednesday, the swell gets huge. Thursday, July 24th, has 18ft waves from the SW, but the 35 km/h cross-shore wind makes it a mess. The combined energy is an insane 16827, but it's way too big and messy. Skip it.
The second week has some good spots. The standout is Sunday morning, July 26th. The swell is 10ft from the SW with a 13-second period, and the combined energy is a strong 2891. The wind is light and cross-off from the NE, so the conditions are clean. This is for experts only, over 8ft, but the quality is excellent.
The rest of the second week is a mix of big swell and varying wind. From July 28th to 30th, there are clean windows, but the swell is still big, so it's for the experienced crew. The combined energy stays strong, ranging from 1800 to 5457.
The break, Papa Tangaroa, is a reef and is fairly consistent. Crowds are rare, so you'll have the place to yourself. The optimum swell direction is from the S, and the SW swells we're getting are a good match.
The best bet is Wednesday morning, July 22nd, with that 7ft SW groundswell and light wind. Sunday, July 26th, is the next best for the second week. The rest of the time, you'll have to pick your moments with the wind.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Mon night, min 17°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the NW by Tue afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Wed morning, strong winds from the WSW by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 26 | SW 24 | SW 22 | SW 20 | SW 19 | WSW 17 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 473 | 269 | 495 | 387 | 302 | 527 | 1083 | 2266 | 2461 | 3072 | 6043 | 2106 | 4466 | 4568 | 3748 | 16739 | 13007 | 8813 | 6380 | 5908 | 4623 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 11:29AM0.71m | 00:24AM0.73m | 12:25PM0.69m | 1:13AM0.77m | 1:14PM0.66m | 1:55AM0.80m | 1:55PM0.63m | 2:31AM0.81m | 2:30PM0.59m | 3:04AM0.82m | 3:00PM0.56m | 3:34AM0.81m | 3:28PM0.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:57PM0.15m | 6:30AM0.24m | 6:41PM0.14m | 7:27AM0.23m | 7:20PM0.15m | 8:16AM0.23m | 7:53PM0.16m | 8:58AM0.23m | 8:22PM0.17m | 9:35AM0.24m | 8:47PM0.18m | 10:09AM0.26m | 9:11PM0.20m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  |  |  | | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — |
 | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 24 | SW 22 | W 9 | SW 19 | WSW 17 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSE 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 473 | 269 | 495 | 387 | 260 | 158 | 1083 | 2266 | 548 | 3072 | 6043 | 2106 | 4466 | 4568 | 3310 | 16739 | 13007 | 34 | 6380 | 5908 | 4623 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | WSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 20 | WSW 16 | S 11 | SW 17 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | — | — | S 12 | — |
| kJ | 91 | 242 | 190 | 203 | 302 | 169 | 164 | 151 | 2461 | 1566 | 116 | 1972 | 623 | 1092 | 161 | 88 | 64 | — | — | 3 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SW 26 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 13 | W 8 | SSE 13 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 12 | NW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 42 | 59 | 52 | 47 | 61 | 527 | 26 | 26 | 82 | 253 | 17 | 149 | 106 | 189 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 5 | W 9 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 13 | — | — | SW 15 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 13 | 92 | 623 | 1109 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3748 | — | — | 8813 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3525 | 3577 | 2 | 3610 | 12 | 0 | 3588 | 3635 | 3635 | 3588 | 3588 | 3602 | 3588 | 3602 | 3602 | 12 | 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
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