Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 10 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
21.4° C
0.8° 

Papa Tangaroa surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 13 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, SW swell with 3,023 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period with SSE 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 13) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 13s. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 6PM. 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 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Mon 13th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 12s
Best Surf 3AM (Mon 13th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 12s
Most Powerful 6PM (Thu 16th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.


G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s shaping up at Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa).

Right off the bat, Friday and Saturday are no good. The wind is howling, near gale to fresh breezes cross-onshore, and the swell is either too small or blown to bits. Water temp is about 21°, pretty normal for this time of year.

The first real chance for clean waves comes Monday the 13th. That morning we’ve got a 1.7m groundswell from the SSW, period at 12 seconds, and a light offshore wind from the NNW. It’s glassy, clean, and the combined energy is 1354 (moderate to strong). This is the standout – not huge, but well-shaped and clean for experienced surfers. Monday afternoon stays clean with a moderate offshore. That’s your session.

Tuesday the 14th goes flat and windy – 1.0m swell and strong breezes, not worth it.

Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th pump up to 2.5m to 3.0m, but the wind is cross or cross-onshore and strong, making it lumpy and messy. That’s more of a kite-surfing day than a paddle session.

Friday the 17th afternoon looks better: 1.7m SW swell with a light breeze, cross-off, and clean. The energy is moderate (984), and it’s got good potential.

There’s a gap of poor or marginal surf through the weekend and into early next week, but then things heat up around Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th. Thursday morning brings a 3.0m SW groundswell with a very long period of 16 seconds, and the combined energy is huge at 3955 (strong to very strong). Winds are cross-off from the NNW, so it’ll be clean. That’s a big, powerful swell – only for experienced surfers, and it’s a reef, so the long period should work well. Friday the 24th stays big with 2.3m and 17-second period, but the wind picks up to strong breeze, still cross-off. The weekend of the 25th and 26th holds 3.0m SW swell with light winds and clean conditions – another possible standout, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.

The break is fairly consistent, a reef exposed to the south swell. Crowds are rare, so you’ll have plenty of space. Best bet is Monday the 13th – that’s the one to circle.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (severe gales from the SW on Fri morning, light winds from the WNW by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Mon morning, strong winds from the WNW by Tue afternoon).

Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
2
3
4
4
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SSW
13
4
SW
10
3
SSW
10
1.3
SSW
13
1.3
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
15
1.1
SSE
10
1.7
SSE
12
1.7
SSE
12
1.7
SSE
12
1.6
SSE
11
1.3
SSE
11
1
SSE
10
1
WSW
13
2.5
W
11
2.5
W
11
2.5
W
8
3
WSW
8
3
WSW
9
3
WSW
12
2.5
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
824
2980
1397
520
458
294
245
800
819
735
581
387
220
372
1596
1379
712
1009
1797
2686
1914
Wind (km/h)
60
NNW
55
SW
30
WSW
35
WSW
30
WSW
30
SW
20
SW
15
WSW
10
W
5
NNW
20
NNW
30
NNW
40
NW
40
NW
30
W
40
W
40
WSW
40
WSW
35
SW
30
SW
20
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
2:29PM0.60m
3:18AM0.91m
3:16PM0.59m
4:05AM0.93m
4:07PM0.57m
4:56AM0.93m
5:05PM0.55m
5:52AM0.91m
6:11PM0.54m
6:53AM0.87m
7:30PM0.54m
8:00AM0.82m
8:56PM0.56m
Low Tide
9:03AM0.22m
8:26PM0.09m
9:53AM0.21m
9:10PM0.09m
10:45AM0.20m
9:57PM0.09m
11:42AM0.20m
10:51PM0.12m
12:44PM0.20m
11:52PM0.17m
1:51PM0.20m
1:06AM0.22m
3:00PM0.20m
2:32AM0.26m
light rain
light rain
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:07
8:06
8:06
8:06
8:06
8:04
8:04
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:37
6:38
6:38
6:39
6:39
6:40
6:40
 mm
3
2
1
1
1
Temp °C
21
18
19
19
19
18
18
18
18
18
19
20
21
22
22
21
20
20
19
19
19
Feels °C
12
9
11
12
13
11
13
15
16
17
16
16
15
17
19
16
14
13
12
13
15
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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