Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
20.6° 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 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 14,321 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Papa Tangaroa in the next 16 days are 5.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 12AM. 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 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Fri 21st Aug)3ft (0.9m) 15s
Best Surf 6PM (Fri 21st Aug)3ft (0.9m) 15s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 25th Aug)16ft (5.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. The only spot in the mix for this 16-day stretch is Tanga-Roa, specifically Papa Tangaroa, a reef break that demands advanced skills. The water temperature is 69°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year – nothing wild there.

The 16-day window kicks off with a gap. There’s really nothing worth paddling out for from Thursday, August 20, through to the end of that first week. The swell is small and weak, the wind is messy, and the energy is low (under 1200). Friday morning, August 21, has a brief flicker – a modest 4ft SSW groundswell with a period of 17 seconds, and a clean offshore breeze from the NNE. But the wave comment says it’s marginal, and the overall energy is still moderate. It’s a tease, not a goer.

The real story starts to build from Sunday, August 25. The swell cranks up, but so does the wind. Monday, August 25, sees a 12ft WSW swell with a short, weak period of 9 seconds, and a strong cross-onshore wind. The combined energy is a massive 1602, but it’s lumpy and ugly. Tuesday, August 25, gets even bigger – 15ft SW swell, 15-second period, energy hitting 9054, but the wind is still cross-onshore. It’s marginal, but for experts only, and the wind is a buzzkill.

The first standout arrives on Thursday, August 28. The morning is glassy, with a light WSW breeze, a solid 8ft SSW swell, and a 12-second period. The energy is strong at 1673. The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the best on offer in the first half of the forecast. The swell direction is S, which is the optimum for Papa Tangaroa. The wind is glassy – clean, smooth, perfect for a reef break. It’s not huge, but it’s quality. The afternoon stays clean with a light cross-off from the NW.

After that, the wind gets strong again through the weekend, and the swell drops. But then the second week shows real promise. The best of the whole run lands on Tuesday, September 1. The morning is glassy with a light onshore from the S, and a 8ft SW swell at 13 seconds. The energy is 3536. The afternoon is even better – glassy, with a light SSE breeze, a 8ft SW swell, 14-second period, and energy at 3061. The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the standout of the entire 16-day window. The wind is glassy, the swell is solid, and the direction is perfect.

Wednesday, September 2, and Thursday, September 3, are also excellent – clean, light offshore or cross-off winds, 7ft to 8ft SW swell, periods of 13 to 16 seconds, and energy in the 2000s. The consistency is there, and the quality is high. Friday, September 4, is a step down – still clean, but the wind picks up and the quality drops to marginal.

Bottom line: The first week is mostly a write-off, but the second half – from Thursday, August 28, through Wednesday, September 4 – has some legitimately good surf. The best days are Thursday, August 28, and Tuesday, September 1, with glassy conditions and solid, long-period SW groundswell. This is a reef break, so the long period will be a plus – better shape, more energy, and longer lulls between sets. Just remember, it’s advanced only, and crowds are rare, so you might have it to yourself.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Fri night, min 16°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Thu afternoon, strong winds from the NW by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Tue night).

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
3
2
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
6
0
2
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
17
1.3
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
1.1
SW
16
1
SW
15
0.7
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
1.2
WSW
12
2.2
W
10
0.9
WSW
13
1
SW
17
2.5
W
9
2.3
W
9
3.5
WSW
12
5
SW
16
3.5
WSW
16
4.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
13
3
SW
12
3
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
702
865
854
620
453
214
102
447
967
261
547
1198
805
3344
14321
6112
9054
5302
3254
2667
2166
Wind (km/h)
20
S
20
ESE
20
ENE
25
NNE
25
N
25
N
40
NNW
40
NW
35
NW
40
NNW
45
NNW
30
W
35
SW
30
WSW
25
SW
25
SW
20
WSW
20
WSW
20
WSW
25
SW
20
SSW
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
High Tide
1:35PM0.61m
1:57AM0.82m
2:04PM0.60m
2:25AM0.82m
2:29PM0.58m
2:51AM0.81m
2:52PM0.56m
3:17AM0.79m
3:15PM0.55m
3:44AM0.77m
3:42PM0.54m
4:14AM0.74m
4:14PM0.52m
Low Tide
7:24PM0.16m
8:26AM0.19m
7:50PM0.16m
8:55AM0.20m
8:14PM0.16m
9:22AM0.21m
8:37PM0.17m
9:48AM0.23m
9:01PM0.19m
10:16AM0.25m
9:28PM0.20m
10:49AM0.28m
10:02PM0.23m
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:41
7:41
7:39
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:59
6:59
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
 mm
1
4
Temp °C
17
17
18
19
20
21
21
21
21
21
21
21
19
19
19
18
18
18
18
17
18
Feels °C
12
12
13
14
17
18
17
17
18
17
16
16
13
13
13
13
14
13
14
13
15
  • 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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