Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 11 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
21.4° C
0.9° 

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 12 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, W swell with 2,256 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Papa Tangaroa in the next 16 days are 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sun 12th Jul)6.5ft (2.0m) 12s
Best Surf 6PM (Sun 12th Jul)6.5ft (2.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 6PM (Tue 14th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s

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


Alright, this is Rusty, your local surf reporter, and I’m looking at the 16-day window for a little spot called Papa Tangaroa.

First up, let’s talk about the water. For this time of year, the water temperature is about average, so nothing to worry about there.

The next week and a half is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got some real windows of opportunity, but also some stretches where the wind just wants to mess things up.

The real standout, the one you want to circle on your calendar, is Monday the 13th of July. It’s not the biggest swell, but the conditions are going to be pure magic. We’ve got a clean 6ft of swell from the SSE, with a nice 11-second period, giving it some proper push. But the best part? The wind goes glassy in the morning – dead calm – and then switches to a clean offshore in the afternoon. That’s the kind of day where the reef works perfectly, and the waves will be holding up beautifully. The combined energy is moderate (1273), but it’s the quality that makes it the pick of the first week.

The next little gem is Friday the 17th of July in the morning. Another glassy session, this time with 5ft of swell from the W with a 12-second period. This is a groundswell, and on a reef setup like this, that longer period can mean some really nice, lined-up waves. The energy is moderate (1147), but it’ll feel punchy.

Now, looking further out, we’ve got a big, powerful pulse coming in around Tuesday the 21st of July in the afternoon. This is a beast of a groundswell – 5ft from the SW with a very long 22-second period. The combined energy is strong (2796), and the wind is a gentle offshore cross-off, keeping it clean. This is a serious, powerful swell, and for a reef break, that long period can create some super consistent, long walls. Worth keeping an eye on.

Then, if you’re an expert and you can handle some serious size, Monday the 27th of July is on the radar. We’re looking at a massive 13ft of swell from the SW, with a 16-second period. The energy is exceptional (8264), and the wind is a gentle offshore. This is for experts only – it’s going to be huge, powerful, and not for the faint of heart. The combined energy is off the charts.

There are some gaps in between where the wind is just too strong and cross-shore, especially from the 14th to the 16th, and then again from the 18th to the 20th, where the wind is ripping and making the surf lumpy or choppy. Don’t bother with those days.

So, to boil it down: Monday the 13th for the best all-round conditions and clean, fun waves. Friday the 17th morning for another glassy session. And if you’re looking for a big, powerful groundswell, Tuesday the 21st afternoon is your window. That long-range stuff on the 27th is for the true chargers.

Stay stoked, and pick your windows wisely.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, strong winds from the WNW by Tue morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 21°C on Tue night, min 19°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu night).

Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Sat
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
3
4
4
4
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
3
4
0
2
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
8
1.3
SSE
12
1.7
SSE
12
1.7
SSE
11
1.7
SSE
11
1.5
SSE
11
1.3
SSE
11
1
SSE
11
1.4
WSW
12
2.5
W
11
2
W
10
1.9
W
8
2.5
WSW
8
2.5
WSW
8
2.1
WSW
8
1.3
WSW
12
1.4
W
12
1.7
WSW
12
1.2
W
11
1.3
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
346
461
774
764
650
550
404
234
522
1386
867
410
838
899
630
452
535
805
332
429
337
Wind (km/h)
25
SW
10
SW
5
SSW
0
NNE
5
N
20
N
35
NNW
40
NW
40
WNW
30
W
30
W
35
W
35
WSW
25
SW
20
SW
5
SSW
5
NNE
20
WSW
15
E
25
ESE
20
E
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
4:05AM0.93m
4:07PM0.57m
4:56AM0.93m
5:05PM0.55m
5:52AM0.91m
6:11PM0.54m
6:53AM0.87m
7:30PM0.54m
8:00AM0.82m
8:56PM0.56m
9:12AM0.78m
10:18PM0.61m
10:24AM0.74m
Low Tide
9:10PM0.09m
10:45AM0.20m
9:57PM0.09m
11:42AM0.20m
10:51PM0.12m
12:44PM0.20m
11:52PM0.17m
1:51PM0.20m
1:06AM0.22m
3:00PM0.20m
2:32AM0.26m
4:06PM0.18m
4:02AM0.27m
5:05PM0.16m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:06
8:06
8:06
8:04
8:04
8:04
8:04
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:38
6:39
6:39
6:40
6:40
6:42
6:42
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
18
18
18
18
18
19
20
21
21
21
21
21
21
20
20
19
20
20
19
19
19
Feels °C
12
16
17
18
18
16
15
16
16
18
19
17
17
16
17
19
21
18
18
16
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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