
Surf Forecasts:
Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 4,547 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 15s period. 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of swell on the cards for Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa) over the next couple of weeks, but you’ve gotta pick your moments. The water temp is sitting at 69°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no drama there.
The pattern kicks off Monday morning, September 7th, with a clean 7ft SW swell, period a solid 14 seconds. The wind is light and cross, so there’s a bit of texture on the surface, and the energy is pumping hard at 1876. That’s serious grunt. It’s not perfect, but it’s a decent start. By Monday afternoon the wind swings light cross-off and the ocean gets glassy clean. Same 7ft SW swell, period still 14 seconds, energy still up at 1702. This is proper groundswell, long period, nice and powerful. The reef will handle it well, but for a spot this exposed, that size and period will have it pitching hard. This is for advanced surfers only – beginners, stay well clear.
Tuesday morning, September 8th, the swell drops to 6ft SW, period 13 seconds, but a moderate cross-breeze messes it up a bit. Energy is down to 1095. Tuesday afternoon is cleaner with a cross-off wind, but the swell is 5ft SW, period 12 seconds, energy 902. It’s okay. Wednesday and Thursday, September 9th and 10th, are a write-off – strong wind, messy surf, and a bit of a storm risk. Friday morning, September 11th, sees a big spike in energy to 2565 with a 5ft SW swell, period 17 seconds. That is a very long-period groundswell, which will wrap deep and hit the reef with heaps of push. The wind is light cross-on, so it’s not glassy but not terrible. Friday afternoon, the swell jumps to 7ft SW, period 16 seconds, and energy hits 3434. That’s massive energy. The wind is still light cross-on, so it’s a bit lumpy, but the power is insane. This is big, raw, and for experts only.
The standout window is Saturday, September 12th. Saturday morning sees a 8ft SW swell, period 14 seconds, with a fresh offshore wind from the north – clean, hollow, and powerful. Energy is 2544. Saturday afternoon, the wind settles to a moderate offshore, swell 8ft SW, period 14 seconds, energy 2201. This is the best of the run. The reef will be firing, long, running waves, and with offshore wind, it’ll be a proper session. Only for experienced surfers, though. Crowds are rare here, so you’ll have it mostly to yourself.
Sunday, September 13th, the swell drops to 6ft SW, period 13 seconds, but the wind goes cross-off in the morning, so it’s clean but dropping. Afternoon turns cross-on and choppy, so don’t bother. Monday, September 14th, is a no-go – strong cross-on wind and lumpy surf. Tuesday, September 15th, the swell is back up to 7ft SW, period 11 seconds, light cross wind, but it’s a bit weaker at 1324 energy. Wednesday, September 16th, is another cracker. Wednesday morning, glassy conditions, 8ft SSW swell, period 12 seconds, energy 2570. That’s clean, powerful, and the reef will be on. Wednesday afternoon, a light cross-off with 8ft SSW swell, period 11 seconds, energy 2143. Both excellent for experienced surfers.
After that, the swell drops off into the second week. Thursday, September 17th, has a 4ft SW swell, period 17 seconds, but moderate cross-off wind, energy 1558. It’s clean but smaller. Friday, September 18th, offshore wind with a 3ft SW swell, period 15 seconds – it’s clean but small, energy 511. Saturday, September 19th, gets a bit of a bump with a 4ft SW swell, period 16 seconds, fresh offshore, energy 800. Still clean but not huge. Sunday, September 20th, fresh offshore wind but a storm risk, 5ft SW swell, period 14 seconds, energy 942. The wind is strong offshore, making it hard to paddle into. Monday, September 21st, the swell picks up again to 8ft SW, period 12 seconds, but with a cross-on wind, it’s messy.
The best two windows are Saturday September 12th and Wednesday September 16th. Both have big, clean, powerful SW groundswell under offshore or glassy wind. This is a spot that rarely sees crowds, but when it’s on, it’s on. Don’t sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the NNW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 53mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Thu morning, light winds from the NNW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | W 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1838 | 1665 | 1228 | 940 | 718 | 450 | 263 | 147 | 234 | 614 | 447 | 1346 | 1318 | 2241 | 4301 | 2544 | 2201 | 1387 | 1147 | 932 | 836 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:47PM0.63m | 4:17AM0.87m | 4:29PM0.62m | 5:01AM0.81m | 5:18PM0.61m | 5:51AM0.73m | 6:17PM0.59m | 6:52AM0.65m | 7:37PM0.57m | 8:16AM0.58m | 9:18PM0.59m | 9:58AM0.55m | 10:46PM0.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:07AM0.12m | 9:39PM0.08m | 10:46AM0.15m | 10:24PM0.11m | 11:30AM0.18m | 11:16PM0.17m | 12:20PM0.22m | 00:20AM0.23m | 1:23PM0.26m | 1:52AM0.29m | 2:44PM0.28m | 3:49AM0.29m | 4:08PM0.27m | ||||||||
8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:18 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | |
— | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:08 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 4 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 19 | SW 19 | WNW 12 | W 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
1838 | 1665 | 1228 | 940 | 718 | 450 | 263 | 147 | 234 | 614 | 1688 | 1346 | 1247 | 2241 | 4301 | 2544 | 2201 | 1387 | 1147 | 932 | 836 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | E 9 | E 9 | E 7 | SW 11 | SW 11 | NE 7 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 12 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | N 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NE 7 |
26 | 18 | 16 | 113 | 154 | 59 | 39 | 62 | 75 | 19 | 102 | 769 | 1318 | 1193 | 55 | 33 | 30 | 43 | 97 | 85 | 96 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | NNW 12 | E 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | E 8 | ESE 8 | SW 18 | NE 7 | WNW 10 | NNE 6 | NNW 13 | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | SW 23 |
38 | 37 | 16 | 15 | 30 | 96 | 127 | 143 | 29 | 11 | 447 | 65 | 223 | 93 | 34 | 33 | 60 | 48 | 47 | 46 | 187 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 8 | ENE 3 | NE 4 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | N 7 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | S 4 | S 5 | S 4 |
— | — | — | 42 | 4 | 46 | 217 | 482 | 904 | 1052 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50 | 10 | 34 | 13 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3525 | 3525 | 3525 | 3525 | 3562 | 3541 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3525 | 0 | 2 | 3562 | 12 | 3525 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Easter Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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










