
Surf Forecasts:
Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SW swell with 4,142 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.0m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what's cookin' at Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa) for the next couple of weeks.
First off, it’s looking like a solid run for the crew that knows this reef. The water temp is about what you'd expect for this time of year, nothing wild. Don't get too excited about the next few days though, because Thursday through Saturday are pretty average. We've got a solid 7ft swell from the SW on Thursday, but that cross-onshore wind is gonna chop it up, making it a bit of a dog. The combined energy is moderate (1287) but the wind is the party pooper.
Things start to look up on Sunday the 6th. The swell is bumping up to 8ft from the SW, and with the wind dropping to a light breeze, the wave energy is kicking into high gear (3071). That's some proper power. Still a little cross-onshore, but way cleaner.
Now, here’s your standout. Monday the 7th of September is the absolute pick of the first week. It’s gonna be glassy. Dead flat calm. We’re looking at a solid 7ft SW groundswell with a long 14-second period, pushing through with strong energy (1642). For an advanced spot like this, that is prime. The sets will be proper and the conditions will be perfect. Get in the water.
The start of the second week keeps the goods coming. Tuesday the 8th is looking clean with a moderate offshore breeze from the north, holding up a 6ft SW swell. But watch out Tuesday afternoon, that wind is going to howling from the north-northeast at 25 mph, so get your session in early.
Skip most of the 9th and 10th – the wind is going nuts with a near gale on the 9th afternoon, making it messy even if the swell is up. The 11th is a mixed bag.
The next real standout comes on Saturday the 12th of September. Gentle offshore winds from the north-northwest, a 7ft SW swell, and a 14-second period. The energy is strong (2439) and the lines will be clean and rippable. This is a full day for it.
We’ve got a few more clean mornings on the 13th and the 16th, but the swell drops off to 3-4ft. Good for a longboard if you're keen. The 18th looks like it might be building again, but that's further out and less certain.
So, to boil it down: if you've got the skills for this reef, circle Monday the 7th and Saturday the 12th on the calendar. The first few days are a write-off, but after that, there's some proper glassy groundswell on the way.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue night, min 17°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Mon afternoon, near gales from the N by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1206 | 1082 | 1062 | 1155 | 1719 | 755 | 1616 | 1760 | 1288 | 3214 | 3058 | 2390 | 1728 | 1558 | 1053 | 940 | 730 | 450 | 228 | 145 | 441 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 12:17PM0.59m | 00:39AM0.85m | 12:55PM0.60m | 1:18AM0.90m | 1:31PM0.62m | 1:56AM0.92m | 2:08PM0.63m | 2:36AM0.91m | 2:47PM0.63m | 3:17AM0.87m | 3:29PM0.62m | 4:01AM0.81m | 4:18PM0.61m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:02PM0.15m | 7:14AM0.14m | 6:40PM0.10m | 7:52AM0.12m | 7:18PM0.08m | 8:29AM0.11m | 7:57PM0.06m | 9:07AM0.12m | 8:39PM0.08m | 9:46AM0.15m | 9:24PM0.11m | 10:30AM0.18m | 10:16PM0.17m | ||||||||
7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 17 | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 19 |
1206 | 1082 | 782 | 1155 | 1719 | 755 | 1616 | 1760 | 1288 | 3214 | 3058 | 2390 | 1728 | 1558 | 1053 | 940 | 730 | 450 | 228 | 123 | 441 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSE 8 | SW 16 | SSE 7 | S 7 | SW 18 | SSE 7 | E 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SW 19 | SE 8 | SW 18 | E 9 | SW 16 | SW 17 | — |
69 | 296 | 1062 | 580 | 92 | 574 | 27 | 23 | 1124 | 21 | 30 | 30 | 38 | 35 | 96 | 30 | 154 | 41 | 127 | 145 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | — | SSE 9 | N 13 | — | SSE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | SSE 6 | NE 7 | N 10 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ESE 8 | SW 18 | ESE 8 | SW 17 | E 8 | SW 21 | — |
12 | — | 101 | 3 | — | 57 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 18 | 13 | 19 | 12 | 13 | 113 | 22 | 97 | 30 | 116 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | NNE 4 | NNE 6 | NNW 8 | NW 10 | WNW 10 |
— | — | — | 119 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 16 | 180 | 1331 | 3837 | 4886 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3525 | 3541 | 3525 | 3541 | 3759 | 3525 |
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










