Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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.

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