Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 06 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
20.8° 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 7 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 5,135 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 18s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Mon 10th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 14s
Best Surf 3PM (Mon 10th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Most Powerful 3PM (Mon 10th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The only spot in the mix is Papa Tangaroa, a heavy reef break that’s exposed and takes a south swell. It’s a fairly consistent wave, but it’s only for the experienced crew – this is no beginner’s playground.

The water temp is sitting around 69°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The first few days are a write-off. Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th have onshore gales – 31 mph winds from the south, pushing a big, lumpy mess of swell. We’re talking 16 ft of junky, onshore slop. That’s not surfable, it’s a washing machine. The combined energy is massive (6867), but it’s all for nothing with those winds. Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th look a little better size-wise but still onshore and messy, nothing worth paddling out for.

The real window opens Monday the 10th. The morning is a bit marginal with a light cross-shore, but the afternoon is the standout. A solid 10 ft south-west groundswell (17-second period) with a gentle offshore northerly – that’s the good stuff. The energy is high (5253), and the wind will clean it up nicely. This is for expert surfers only; that size on a reef is serious. This is the best bet in the whole 16-day run.

Tuesday the 11th looks ugly again – fresh onshore winds and big, lumpy conditions. Wednesday the 12th through to Friday the 14th are all onshore or cross-onshore, with the swell hanging around 7 ft to 8 ft, but the wind kills it. No good.

Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th see a return of offshore winds, but the swell is smaller – around 5 ft to 8 ft. The wind is fresh, so it’ll be clean, but the quality is marginal. Monday the 17th morning looks the best of that patch: 8 ft west swell with a moderate offshore from the north, clean and good for the experienced. After that, the swell fades and the wind goes cross-offshore, with smaller waves in the 4 ft to 6 ft range through to Friday the 21st. The combined energy drops off, and it’s all just marginal fun.

So, if you’re an expert, keep your eyes on Monday the 10th afternoon. That’s your one true standout. The rest is a waiting game.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 18°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the S on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Sun morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon night, min 17°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Mon morning, fresh winds from the NW by Mon night).

Thu
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
4
6
3
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)
5
SSE
11
4.5
SSE
11
4
SSE
11
3.5
SSE
11
3
SSE
11
2.3
SSE
10
2
SSE
10
1.7
SSE
9
1.4
SSE
9
1.3
SE
9
1.7
WSW
14
2.1
WSW
14
3
SW
17
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
3
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.1
SW
13
2.1
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
6069
4755
4294
3266
1960
1044
746
480
313
271
1111
1759
5135
4176
3199
3466
2862
1613
1663
1615
Wind (km/h)
50
S
45
S
35
S
35
SSW
25
SSW
25
S
25
S
20
S
20
S
25
S
10
SSE
5
ESE
15
N
30
NW
30
SW
30
SW
30
SW
35
SSW
25
SSW
25
S
Wind State
on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
High Tide
1:38AM0.87m
1:40PM0.61m
2:17AM0.91m
2:19PM0.61m
2:58AM0.94m
3:01PM0.61m
3:42AM0.93m
3:46PM0.60m
4:28AM0.90m
4:38PM0.59m
5:20AM0.85m
5:39PM0.56m
Low Tide
6:56PM0.13m
8:08AM0.19m
7:33PM0.09m
8:49AM0.17m
8:12PM0.07m
9:32AM0.16m
8:53PM0.07m
10:17AM0.17m
9:39PM0.09m
11:06AM0.19m
10:30PM0.13m
12:02PM0.22m
11:30PM0.19m
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:50
7:50
7:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:53
6:53
6:54
 mm
4
2
1
4
Temp °C
18
18
18
18
18
18
19
18
18
18
17
17
18
20
18
18
18
18
17
17
Feels °C
9
10
12
12
12
14
16
15
15
15
15
17
16
16
14
13
13
11
11
11
  • Map Icons:
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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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