Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 04 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 5 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 11s period, SSE swell with 6,035 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period with SSE 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 16s is also forecast. 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 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Wed 5th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 11s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 10th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 6PM (Wed 5th Aug)16ft (5.0m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Papa Tangaroa, a reef set-up over on Tanga-Roa.

Right now, there’s no surf worth paddling out for – it’s pretty grim. The first solid window we’re looking at kicks off on Sunday the 9th of August, but even then it’s only just creeping into marginal territory. You’ve got a 5ft SSE swell on Sunday morning with onshore wind, so don’t get too excited. The afternoon cleans up a touch but stays small and cross-onshore.

The real standout for this whole outlook lands on Monday the 10th of August. Monday afternoon sees a solid 10ft groundswell rolling in from the SW with a very long 16-second period – that’s proper energy, packing a punch (5083 combined energy). Winds go light cross-shore from the W, so it’ll be clean with some shape. This is the pick of the bunch – good wave quality for those who know how to handle a reef break. The swell direction is a perfect match for the optimum S direction. Just a heads up – this spot is for advanced surfers only, and with a swell over 8ft, it’s strictly for the experienced crew.

After that, we hit a rough patch again with strong winds and lumpy conditions through to the end of the second week. The next flicker of hope shows up on Friday the 14th of August. Friday afternoon you’ll see 8ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and finally some offshore wind from the N. Conditions are clean and the energy is moderate (2209). It’s not huge, but it’ll be rideable and tidy – decent for a Friday session.

Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th keep that 8ft SW swell going with offshore winds, though the breeze gets fresh, so it’ll be a bit more of a battle to get out. Still, clean faces and consistent lines for those who can handle it.

Water temp is sitting around 69°, which is pretty normal for this time of year – nothing wild.

To wrap it up: Monday the 10th of August afternoon is your best bet – big, long-period SW groundswell, light cross-shore wind, and clean conditions at Papa Tangaroa. After that, Friday the 14th through Sunday the 16th offer cleaner but smaller options. It’s not a classic run, but there are moments.

Stay safe out there.
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the ENE by Wed morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri night, min 17°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Fri morning, light winds from the SSW by Sun night).

Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
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
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
3
2
3
5
5
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
SW
14
4.5
S
10
4
SSE
10
4
SSE
11
4.5
SSE
11
4
SSE
11
4
SSE
11
4
SE
11
3.5
SE
10
2.4
ESE
11
3.5
SE
11
3
SE
12
2.5
SSE
11
2.1
SSE
10
1.8
SSE
10
1.6
SSE
9
1.1
SW
17
1.9
WSW
15
2.3
WSW
15
3
SW
16
2.1
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1836
3772
3016
3699
4805
4195
4086
3607
2450
1326
2507
2504
1421
940
650
450
647
1571
2274
4823
2465
Wind (km/h)
35
SW
45
SSW
20
SSW
35
SW
20
ESE
40
ESE
45
SE
45
SE
35
SSE
30
SSE
20
S
25
SSW
25
SW
25
SW
20
SSW
15
SSW
10
SW
10
S
15
SW
10
W
20
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
11:40AM0.60m
00:24AM0.72m
12:23PM0.60m
1:01AM0.80m
1:02PM0.61m
1:38AM0.87m
1:40PM0.61m
2:17AM0.91m
2:19PM0.61m
2:58AM0.94m
3:01PM0.61m
3:42AM0.93m
3:46PM0.60m
Low Tide
5:50PM0.22m
6:44AM0.26m
6:22PM0.17m
7:27AM0.22m
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
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:56
7:54
7:54
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:51
6:51
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:53
 mm
1
1
1
2
1
3
2
3
Temp °C
19
18
19
18
19
19
18
18
18
17
17
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
19
Feels °C
14
10
16
13
17
12
10
10
11
11
13
12
13
14
14
17
17
18
17
17
16
  • 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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