Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 13 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
20.9° C
0.9° 

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 13 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,532 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Papa Tangaroa this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Papa Tangaroa in the next 16 days are 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful12PM (Fri 14th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's shaping up for Tanga-Roa, and it's a bit of a mixed bag. We've got some serious energy coming but the wind is going to be the big talking point.

Alright, let's start with the only spot we have to look at, and that's Papa Tangaroa. This is an advanced reef break, and it's fairly consistent. The water temp right now is looking a bit different from the norm for this time of year, but nothing wild. The real story is the swell, which is predominantly from the south, and that's a good direction for this spot.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off for quality surfing. Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th have proper size, with 7ft to 10ft of swell from the SW, but the wind is a mess. It's cross-onshore and choppy, making it pretty unsurfable. Wait, actually, the best window in the near term looks to be Monday the 17th. While the swell drops a little to 6ft from the SW, the wind is forecasted to be glassy in the morning. That is a major positive, so expect very good, clean conditions at a spot that handles this size well. That morning session is the standout for the first week.

Then we get a run of poor conditions for a few days before things get interesting again. We've got a lot of wind and not much else until we look ahead. The big one on the horizon is Tuesday the 25th of August. That morning we’re looking at a massive 13ft SW swell, with combined energy readings of 8237, which is very strong. It's going to be big and powerful. The wind is still cross-onshore from the SE, which keeps the score from being perfect, but the sheer size could be on for expert surfers if the tide lines up. The afternoon session on the 25th is a bit better, with a 13ft SW swell and the energy still very high at 7018.

Wednesday the 27th of August is also a promising prospect, with 7ft to 8ft SW swell and cross-offshore winds from the NE. That's a good sign for clean faces. That looks like a fun, manageable day too.

So, to wrap it up: The first week, aim for Monday morning the 17th for the cleanest, most user-friendly waves. For the big-league stuff, keep an eye on Tuesday the 25th for a massive swell, but it's for experts only, and Thursday the 27th for a cleaner, smaller, but still very solid day. The wind is the main character here, so keep checking that.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat night, min 17°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Thu morning, strong winds from the NNE by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 78mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the N on Sun night, light winds from the W by Mon afternoon).

Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
2
3
2
2
0
0
0
1
0
3
0
0
1
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)
2.2
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.4
SW
14
3
SW
15
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.1
SW
13
1.8
SW
13
1.2
SW
12
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.7
SW
13
1.6
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
2.1
SSW
13
1.8
SSW
13
1.6
SSW
12
1.8
SSW
12
1.7
SSW
12
1.1
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1929
2004
2096
3197
3294
2536
1544
1037
444
453
350
647
984
961
1594
1497
1028
762
923
735
808
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
25
SW
25
SSW
25
SSE
20
ESE
20
ENE
30
NE
40
NNE
45
NNE
50
N
55
N
55
N
35
W
20
WNW
30
SSW
25
S
20
S
20
SSE
30
S
30
S
30
SSE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross
cross-off
on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
High Tide
6:58PM0.55m
7:34AM0.71m
8:34PM0.57m
8:59AM0.66m
10:04PM0.62m
10:20AM0.64m
11:13PM0.68m
11:26AM0.64m
00:06AM0.74m
12:18PM0.63m
00:49AM0.78m
1:00PM0.63m
1:25AM0.81m
Low Tide
1:08PM0.24m
00:48AM0.26m
2:24PM0.25m
2:29AM0.29m
3:40PM0.24m
4:10AM0.28m
4:44PM0.21m
5:28AM0.25m
5:36PM0.19m
6:27AM0.21m
6:18PM0.17m
7:14AM0.19m
6:54PM0.16m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:48
7:48
7:47
7:46
7:45
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:54
6:55
6:55
6:57
6:57
6:58
6:58
 mm
7
32
26
12
1
2
Temp °C
17
18
18
17
17
18
19
19
20
20
21
21
16
16
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
Feels °C
13
14
12
13
13
14
12
11
13
12
13
13
11
14
12
13
13
12
11
11
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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