Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 10 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
20.5°C
0.6° 

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 10 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, SW swell with cross-offshore 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★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 19s. 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 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 3.0m 13s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 15th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 11s
Best Surf 4AM (Tue 15th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 11s
Most Powerful10PM (Fri 11th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, checking the charts for the next couple of weeks. It’s one reef spot doing all the talking, and it’s got a few moments of real magic.

The first few days, starting Thursday the 10th, are a bit of a bust. You’ve got a solid 8-foot swell, but the wind is junk – cross-shore and onshore, making everything choppy and ugly. The wave energy is huge (2933 to 3119), but it’s not doing you any favors. Friday the 11th is a little better, but still onshore. Saturday the 12th is a little lighter on the wind, but you’re still dealing with ripples.

Sunday the 13th is a hard pass. A 6-foot swell with a moderate cross-onshore wind is just a bumpy, choppy mess.

The spark comes on Tuesday the 15th. A cross-offshore breeze finally shows up, cleaning up that 6-foot SW swell. The wave energy is still pumping (1198), and the wind is the first real clean window we’ve seen. It’s a nice, solid day.

But the one you circle is Wednesday the 16th of September. This is the real deal. We’re looking at a moderate offshore wind, blowing from the north, grooming a 4 to 4-foot SW swell with a 20-second period. That’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is still strong (1343 and 1302), and that offshore wind is going to make those waves glassy, clean, and lined up. On a reef, a long-period swell like this is a thing of beauty. It’s the best day of the whole outlook. The swell is smaller, but the quality is through the roof.

Thursday the 17th is a solid backup. More offshore wind, a 5-foot SW swell, and a strong 18-second period. The wind is a bit stronger (25 to 30 mph), but it’s still offshore, so it’s clean. This is another banger.

After that, the winds stay clean for a few days, but the swell drops to 4 to 4 feet. The energy drops off (707 to 724), so it’s small, clean, and fun, but not the big day.

The last week of the outlook gets ugly again. The wind turns cross-on or onshore, and the swell gets bigger and rougher. The 22nd and 23rd of September are a washout – fresh cross-onshore winds, lumpy, and messy. The swell is 8-foot, but it’s a wind-blown disaster. That’s kite-surfing stuff.

So, the verdict: Wednesday the 16th of September is your absolute winner. Plan for it. Tuesday the 15th is a great warm-up, and Thursday the 17th is a close second. The rest is either too windy, too messy, or just average.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed night, min 17°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the N on Wed night, light winds from the SE by Sat morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat night, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
3
4
3
3
3
0
1
1
2
2
2
4
3
3
4
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
W
12
2.5
W
12
2.5
W
12
2.5
SW
12
2.1
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.4
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2
SW
13
1.8
SW
13
1.8
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
2.3
SW
12
2.3
SW
12
2.1
SW
11
1.9
SW
11
1.7
SSW
11
1.5
SSW
10
1.1
SW
20
1.2
SW
19
1.3
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2225
2061
1805
1769
2415
4301
2416
1945
1387
1037
1109
1298
1550
1444
1167
911
713
462
922
1070
1215
Wind (km/h)
15
W
10
W
5
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSE
10
E
10
ESE
10
SSE
10
WSW
20
SSW
20
S
15
SW
15
SSE
10
SE
15
E
15
ENE
20
NE
20
NNE
20
N
20
N
20
N
Wind State
cross
cross
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
High Tide
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
1:04PM0.58m
1:14AM0.78m
Low Tide
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
7:11AM0.17m
6:47PM0.19m
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:21
8:19
8:18
8:17
8:15
8:15
8:14
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:07
8:07
8:08
8:08
8:09
8:09
8:09
 mm
2
1
1
Temp °C
20
19
19
18
19
18
18
17
18
18
18
17
17
17
17
18
18
18
19
19
20
Feels °C
20
20
20
16
18
16
17
17
17
15
15
14
14
14
14
15
15
14
17
17
19
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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