Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve only got one spot in the frame for the next 16 days: Papa Tangaroa. This is a heavy reef setup for advanced surfers only, and it’s exposed to the south swell. The water temp anomaly isn’t flagged, so it’s about average for the time of year.

The opening session on Tuesday morning (18 August) shows a solid 6ft SSW swell at 13 seconds, with light cross-onshore wind and moderate energy (1216). It’s a bit messy with small wind ripples, but there’s something to work with. Tuesday afternoon cleans up slightly with 6ft and glassy conditions – 5 km/h SE cross-on – that energy stays high (1225). Not a standout, but a decent start.

Wednesday (19 August) is written off – rain showers and strong southerly wind at 25-30 km/h straight onshore, pushing 5ft to 5ft swell into poor conditions. No score there.

Thursday (20 August) gets a clean morning with clear skies, but it’s still 30 km/h southerly onshore and a 4ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period (1119 energy). That long period groundswell can make the reef work, but the wind is too brutal. Afternoon drops to 20 km/h cross-on, still messy, not worth it.

Friday (21 August) is the first real standout. Morning sees a 4ft SW swell at 16 seconds with NE winds at 25 km/h going cross-offshore – clean conditions (777 energy). But the afternoon is the gem: 3ft SW swell at 15 seconds, 30 km/h NNE offshore wind, glassy and clean (533 energy). For a reef break, offshore wind and a little length in the swell means long, smooth lines. Crowds are rare here, so you might have it quiet. This is the best on offer in the first week.

Saturday (22 August) is cooked – 40-45 km/h cross-offshore winds shredding the 2ft to 3ft swell (180 to 568 energy). Not happening.

There’s a gap from Sunday (23 August) through to Wednesday (26 August) with no recommendations. Big, powerful swell builds from 5ft up to 16ft on Tuesday (25 August), but every session is plagued by strong cross-onshore wind – lumpy, choppy, poor conditions. The energy is massive (up to 11261), but you’d be kiting, not paddling, in that setup.

Thursday (27 August) shows promise again. An 8ft SW swell at 12 seconds with light SSW winds going onshore, but calm energy (1984). Afternoon gets even lighter – 5 km/h onshore, 8ft (1632). This is a big reef swell, but with the wind so light and onshore, it could get a bit slippery.

Friday (28 August) drops to 6ft SW at 10 seconds, short-period windswell with cross-onshore – not worth the paddle.

Saturday 29 August and Sunday 30 August crank up again – 12ft to 10ft SW groundswell at 14-15 seconds, cross-offshore from the east. Clean conditions, moderate energy (5138 to 3863). This is heavy, expert territory – over 8ft, so only for the crew with big balls. But it’s lining up nicely.

The absolute standout of the whole outlook lands on Monday 31 August. An 12ft to 13ft SW groundswell at 16 seconds, combined with 30-40 km/h NNE offshore wind. The energy is massive (up to 7873), and it’s described as fresh offshore and clean. Yes, it’s strong offshore and hard to paddle into, but for an experienced reef surfer, this is the session to circle. Tuesday 1 September keeps that same energy, but wind cranks to 45 km/h – still offshore, but flirting with too much.

Wednesday 2 September drops back to 12ft at 14 seconds with cross-offshore, still big, but not the same magic.

So, bottom line: the best windows are Friday afternoon (21 August) for a smaller, clean, offshore session, and Monday 31 August for the big-gun, pulse-pumping, long-period groundswell with clean offshore winds. Don’t sleep on that one.

Rusty.

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