Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming up.

We’ve got one spot on the menu, Papa Tangaroa. This is a serious, advanced-level reef break that’s exposed to the swell. There’s some proper size and energy coming through over the next fortnight, but the wind is going to be the main character in this story.

We’re starting off on Wednesday the 22nd. The swell is a solid 10ft from the WSW, with a long-period groundswell of 18 to 19 seconds. The combined energy is massive – we’re talking 7283 and then 5992. That’s a lot of power in the water. But, and it’s a big but, the wind is a cross-shore breeze, and conditions are described as having a bit of a cross-chop to them. It’s rideable, but not the cleanest.

Thursday the 23rd is a write-off. The wind cranks up to a fresh 22 mph cross-shore, and conditions are lumpy and poor. We’ve got rain showers and poor surf all day. Not our day.

Friday the 24th sees the swell actually bump up to 13ft to 15ft, with energy readings hitting the roof—9113 and 9818. That is a huge, powerful swell. But again, the wind is a problem. Fresh cross-shore winds make it a lumpy mess. It’s going to be a battle out there, and for the average surfer, it’s just too big and messy. This is expert territory, and even then, the wind is going to make it tough.

Saturday the 25th stays big at 13ft and onshore, so it’s still no good.

Now, here’s the standout. Sunday the 26th of July. The swell drops to a still-chunky 10ft, but the wind goes glassy off-shore. Light winds from the NNW, clean conditions. The period is 12 seconds, so it’s a proper groundswell with good energy. For experienced surfers, this is the session of the window. The water temp is a mild 70°, which is about average for the time of year. This is the best bet, hands down.

Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th see the swell drop back to a small 5ft to 5ft, and the winds are either cross-off or onshore, keeping things marginal. Not much to get excited about.

We get another clean window on Wednesday the 30th of July. The swell is a small 4ft from the WSW, but the wind is dead calm. Glassy conditions. It’s not huge, but it will be peaky and fun on the right bank. A solid option for a longer board.

Saturday the 2nd of August brings another quality round. The swell picks up to 6ft from the WSW, with clean, offshore winds from the North. This is another clean day of solid, rideable surf.

The rest of the run into the 6th is mainly smaller, with occasional bumps in size. The 5th of August shows a bit of a pulse from the SW with 6ft to 6ft swell, and the 6th of August has a big 8ft to 12ft groundswell, but it’s onshore and choppy again.

Bottom line: If you want a clean session with some serious power, be out there Sunday the 26th of July. For smaller, glassy fun, the 30th of July and the 2nd of August are your go-to days. The rest of the time, the wind is going to blow it out or it’s too small. Keep an eye on that 25th to 26th shift.

Rusty.

Read more