Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 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: Friday 11 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy 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★+): Friday 11 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 16s 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 (Sep 11) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 2.3m and 12s. 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 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 1PM.

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

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty, and here’s how it’s looking for Papa Tangaroa.

We’ve got a slow start, but once the conditions line up, this reef set-up is set to fire. The water’s sitting at 69°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The opening days are a bit of a write-off. Thursday the 10th is messy, with a 10ft west swell and a strong cross-shore wind kicking up chop. The combined energy is pumping at 3081, but it’s not surfable. Friday the 11th morning is still marginal, but then—hold onto your board—Friday afternoon, the wind swings southeast and goes glassy. That’s the moment. A 7ft southwest groundswell with a 16-second period rolls in, and the combined energy is a hefty 4070. For an advanced reef break, this is the standout. The swell direction is a perfect match for the optimum, and with glassy conditions, you’re looking at clean, powerful lines. It’s a proper groundswell, so expect long, walling waves that are best for experienced surfers only.

The weekend gets a bit lumpy again. Saturday the 12th morning has an 8ft southwest swell but onshore wind messes it up, and by Sunday, the swell drops to 6ft with more cross-onshore chop. The energy drops to around 1053–1092, so it’s not worth paddling out.

Monday the 14th is still marginal, but then Tuesday the 15th brings a real change. The wind shifts cross-offshore, and the swell settles to 5–6ft with a clean face. The energy is moderate at 884–977, and it’s a solid, surfable option for the confident surfer.

Now, Wednesday the 16th through Thursday the 17th is the second real standout. Offshore winds from the north-northeast and north-northwest, combined with a 3–5ft southwest swell, but here’s the kicker—the period jumps to 18–20 seconds. That’s very long-period groundswell, and the energy sits around 1053–1500. The waves will be clean, long, and powerful, but that long period means it’ll be breaking a bit straight at the reef, so you’ll need to pick your spots. It’s still excellent for experienced surfers.

After that, it gets messy again. Friday the 18th has offshore wind but the energy drops, and by Saturday the 19th, the wind is howling at 28–31 mph. That’s a no-go. Sunday the 20th through Tuesday the 22nd is a complete write-off with strong cross-shore winds and lumpy, poor surf. The end of the period—Wednesday the 23rd to Friday the 25th—has some clean cross-off wind but the energy is moderate, and the swell is around 5–6ft. It’s marginal, but with the fresh breeze, it’s not worth the paddle.

So, the best on offer is Friday afternoon, September 11, with that glassy, 7ft groundswell, and then Wednesday the 16th through Thursday the 17th for the clean, long-period swell. Get out there if you’re good enough.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Sun afternoon). 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
3
5
5
3
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
2
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)
3
W
12
2.5
W
12
2.5
WSW
12
2.5
SW
12
2.1
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.5
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
SW
11
1.7
SW
11
1.5
SW
11
0.7
SW
18
1
SW
20
1.1
SW
19
1.3
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2373
2061
1699
1902
2415
4301
2544
1945
1387
1053
1092
1298
1550
1444
966
690
505
311
800
945
1087
Wind (km/h)
20
W
10
WSW
10
ESE
10
SSE
5
ESE
5
NE
10
S
10
SW
15
SW
20
SW
15
SSW
15
S
15
S
10
SE
20
E
15
ENE
10
NE
20
NE
20
NNE
15
NNE
10
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
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
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
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
2
Temp °C
20
19
19
19
19
19
18
18
18
18
18
17
17
17
17
18
19
19
20
20
19
Feels °C
19
19
20
19
21
20
18
17
16
15
16
14
14
15
14
15
17
16
19
20
20
  • 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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