
Surf Forecasts:
Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 4,777 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period with W 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Papa Tangaroa in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer out at Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa). This is a heavy, advanced reef break, exposed and pretty consistent, but we’re going to have to wade through a bit of chaos before we get any real juice. The water temps look about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
The next week and a half is a bit of a mixed bag. To start, Wednesday and into Thursday morning, the wind is just way too strong – we’re looking at a strong to near-gale offshore that’s going to make it almost impossible to get out and the swell is small. Not worth the paddle. The energy is weak too, sitting around 332 to 430. Just leave it.
Thursday afternoon is when things start to get interesting. The swell jumps to 10ft from the W, but the period is only 12 seconds. The wind goes light cross-onshore, which will put a bit of chop on it. It’s a big, raw wave – not one for the faint-hearted. The combined energy is pumping at 2638, which is a solid, strong push. It’s going to be powerful and a bit messy, but there’s size.
Friday gets blown out onshore in the morning, but the afternoon cleans up a touch. Still, that onshore wind is going to make it pretty poor. We see that swell drop back to 7ft from the SW with a longer, 16-second period. The energy is serious at 4261, but the wind is the killer. By Saturday, we’ve got a couple of options. A morning glass-off with 8ft of SW swell (14 second period) and a strong 2544 energy, but it’s cross-shore. The afternoon turns cross-onshore. It’s all just a bit messy. Sunday is poor, coming back onshore and choppy.
Now, Monday the 14th of September is where you need to be watching. Monday afternoon, it’s glassy. The wind drops to nothing, and we have a solid 8ft SW swell with a 12-second period. The energy is at 1721, which is a good, strong push. This is excellent surf for those who can handle it. This is one of the true standouts – clean, powerful, and on a reef. You’ll want your A-game.
Tuesday the 15th looks really fun too. A lighter 6ft and 6ft SW swell, around 11 seconds, but the wind is a light cross-offshore, so it’s clean and the lines will be holding up. Energy is moderate at 1228, but it’s a great window for some proper reef waves.
Then we get a proper treat. Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th are looking like the best of the run. We get a moderate offshore wind, holding the swell up. The size drops to around 3ft to 5ft, but the period is super long – 21 seconds and then 18 seconds out of the SW. This is proper groundswell, and with that offshore wind, the reef will be absolutely firing. The energy is moderate, but the quality is going to be world-class. This is your second standout – clean, lined-up, and perfect for a reef break like this. A long period like that on a reef is where it’s at. The following Friday and Saturday see the size pick back up to 7ft but the winds get a bit more on it, making it more marginal.
After that, the last couple of days of the window get smaller and a bit lumpy, with a lot of cross-onshore slop. The 23rd and 24th look poor, so the run ends on a flat note. Overall, don’t waste your time on the first few days. Get out for the glassy Monday afternoon and then the offshore mornings of the 16th and 17th. That’s where the magic is.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed night, min 18°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NNE on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 19 | W 13 | W 12 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
268 | 147 | 234 | 2920 | 2216 | 2685 | 1966 | 2415 | 4301 | 2544 | 2061 | 1408 | 1053 | 1191 | 1298 | 1347 | 1496 | 1084 | 927 | 753 | 750 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:18PM0.61m | 5:51AM0.73m | 6:17PM0.59m | 6:52AM0.65m | 7:37PM0.57m | 8:16AM0.58m | 9:18PM0.59m | 9:58AM0.55m | 10:46PM0.64m | 11:22AM0.55m | 11:48PM0.69m | 12:20PM0.57m | 00:36AM0.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:30AM0.18m | 11:16PM0.17m | 12:20PM0.22m | 00:20AM0.23m | 1:23PM0.26m | 1:52AM0.29m | 2:44PM0.28m | 3:49AM0.29m | 4:08PM0.27m | 5:23AM0.26m | 5:16PM0.25m | 6:25AM0.21m | 6:06PM0.22m | ||||||||
8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:18 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | |
— | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 19 | W 13 | W 12 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
268 | 147 | 234 | 2920 | 2216 | 2685 | 1966 | 1738 | 4301 | 2544 | 2061 | 1408 | 1053 | 1191 | 1298 | 1347 | 1496 | 1084 | 927 | 753 | 750 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | SW 11 | NNE 7 | N 7 | NE 7 | SW 17 | SW 16 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
57 | 30 | 59 | 254 | 74 | 88 | 1350 | 2415 | 35 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 51 | 53 | 54 | 59 | 58 | 306 | 284 | 379 | 246 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 17 | ESE 8 | SW 19 | ENE 7 | SW 18 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNW 13 | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 21 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 13 | ENE 8 |
127 | 143 | 21 | 708 | 86 | 522 | 75 | 55 | 34 | 33 | 60 | 48 | 47 | 46 | 183 | 285 | 277 | 42 | 35 | 176 | 23 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
261 | 599 | 980 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3525 | 3525 | 3525 | 3525 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3562 | 3525 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Easter Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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










