Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
20.6° C
0.7° 

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 21 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 12,572 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Papa Tangaroa in the next 16 days are 5.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Fri 21st Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Best Surf 6AM (Tue 25th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 16s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 25th Aug)16ft (5.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Tanga-Roa, this one’s a wild ride.

We’re looking at a classic Papa Tangaroa reef break, an advanced-only wave that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the south. The water temp is sitting at 69°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year – nothing out of the ordinary.

The first window of clean surf is a no-go, with a cross-onshore chop and a very marginal, low-energy swell on Thursday the 20th. The next few days are a write-off – strong winds, poor conditions, and messy surf. Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are just not worth paddling out for.

Then we get a pulse of energy. Monday the 24th sees a jump in swell, but the wind is cross-on and the waves are lumpy and messy. It’s a no-go for paddle surfing. Tuesday the 25th is a bit different – we’ve got solid 12 ft to 13 ft swell from the SW, with a very long period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is massive (9236) – this is serious groundswell. But the wind is cross-shore, and the quality is marginal. This is expert territory, and that long period could make the wave a bit too lined up for a reef break like this, but the size and energy are undeniable. The best chance for a clean wave comes later. Friday the 28th sees a drop in size, but the winds are light and the swell is still there.

Now, the real standout. Saturday the 29th morning. We’ve got clean, gentle offshore wind from the NNW, a 4 ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is still solid (1223). The report flags this as excellent for experienced surfers, and I’d agree. The offshore wind will shape up the reef nicely, and the long period will give you the power. Crowds are rare at Papa Tangaroa, but with this quality, you might get a few other heads out. This is the session to target.

After that, the wind swings back onshore and the swell jumps again, but it’s back to messy, cross-on conditions through the end of August and into the first few days of September. The swell is huge, up to 15 ft on the 31st, but with onshore winds, it’s a beast you’d want to avoid.

The long-range outlook into the first week of September is a mixed bag. There’s some energy, but the wind is inconsistent. The 4th of September offers a bit of hope with a 7 ft swell from the east and a cross-offshore breeze, but the period drops to 8 seconds, which is short and weak. It’s marginal.

So, to sum it up: the best bet is Saturday the 29th morning. The rest of the window is a battle with the wind. Stay patient.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Fri night, min 17°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Thu afternoon, strong winds from the NW by Sat afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Sun night, light winds from the WSW by Mon night).

Thu
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
2
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
7
7
6
4
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)
1.3
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
1.1
SW
16
1
SW
15
0.7
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
1.3
WSW
12
2.1
W
10
0.9
WSW
13
1
SW
17
2.4
W
9
2.4
WSW
9
3.5
SW
13
5
SW
16
3.5
SW
16
4
SW
14
3
WSW
14
3.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
13
3
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
865
854
620
453
214
102
510
988
257
553
859
822
4308
12572
6368
7066
3008
4474
3675
2597
Wind (km/h)
20
ESE
20
ENE
30
N
25
N
35
N
35
NNW
40
NW
35
NNW
40
NNW
40
NW
40
W
35
SW
25
SW
15
WSW
20
WSW
20
W
30
W
30
WSW
30
SW
30
SW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
1:57AM0.82m
2:04PM0.60m
2:25AM0.82m
2:29PM0.58m
2:51AM0.81m
2:52PM0.56m
3:17AM0.79m
3:15PM0.55m
3:44AM0.77m
3:42PM0.54m
4:14AM0.74m
4:14PM0.52m
Low Tide
7:24PM0.16m
8:26AM0.19m
7:50PM0.16m
8:55AM0.20m
8:14PM0.16m
9:22AM0.21m
8:37PM0.17m
9:48AM0.23m
9:01PM0.19m
10:16AM0.25m
9:28PM0.20m
10:49AM0.28m
10:02PM0.23m
clear
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
light rain
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:41
7:39
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:59
6:59
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
 mm
1
2
4
1
Temp °C
17
18
19
20
21
21
21
21
21
21
21
18
18
18
19
19
19
18
18
18
Feels °C
13
13
15
18
18
17
17
18
17
16
16
11
13
15
15
14
14
13
12
11
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  • 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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