Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
20.6°C
0.8° 

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 9 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 4,949 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 14s period. 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 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Sat 12th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Best Surf10AM (Sat 12th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 7PM (Fri 11th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, picture this: Papa Tangaroa. It’s a reef break that knows how to hold its ground. We’ve got a proper window of swell coming through, and the water’s sitting around 69°F, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year. Nothing weird going on there.

The start of the week is a write-off. Tuesday afternoon is small, bumpy, and just not worth the paddle. Then Wednesday gets blown out by a serious cross-off breeze, and while Thursday morning has some long-period energy in the water, it’s messy and lumpy. You’re not missing anything.

Now, here’s where it starts to get interesting. Friday afternoon brings a solid pulse of swell—we’re talking 8ft of SW groundswell pushing through with a 16-second period. That’s proper energy, and the combined energy reading is a hefty 4137. It’s a bit cross-onshore, so it’ll be a touch lumpy, but there’s power in the water. It’s not the cleanest, but you can feel it building.

Saturday morning is the first real standout. The wind drops to glassy, absolute magic. The swell is still a good 8ft from the SW with a 14-second period. The energy is still strong at 2544. This is when experienced surfers are going to have a field day. Saturday afternoon stays clean too, with 8ft and a light cross-off breeze. The reef will be handling it well. This is your window.

Sunday turns ugly again. A cross-onshore chop messes things up, and the swell drops slightly. Monday is onshore and messy, not worth the effort. Tuesday has a bit of a rebound with a cleaner 5ft, and it’s looking good.

Then, we get a fascinating curveball. Starting Wednesday the 16th, the period jumps up to 20 seconds. That’s a very long-period groundswell. The swell size drops, but the period is huge. This kind of energy can do crazy things on a reef. The wind is offshore and clean, so the surface will be perfect. It’s smaller, around 3ft, but those long-period waves will have real push.

The 17th and 18th follow a similar pattern: clean, offshore winds, and long-period SW swell in the 4–5ft range. This is a different kind of session—clean, lined-up, and holding plenty of power despite the smaller size. It’s not the biggest, but it’s a surfer’s wave.

After that, the energy builds again. Saturday the 19th brings another glassy morning with 8ft of SW swell and 14-second period. That’s your other standout—another clean, powerful session on the reef.

The final stretch gets messy again. Strong onshore winds and a lumpy sea take over for the last few days of the window. It’s not looking good past next weekend.

So, to cut through it: Saturday the 12th is your best bet—clean, solid, powerful. Saturday the 19th is the other one to keep an eye on. The long-period stuff in the middle of next week is worth a look if you appreciate quality over size, but that’s a bonus. Don’t bother with much else.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NNE on Wed afternoon, light winds from the S by Thu afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
0
2
2
4
0
2
3
4
4
1
0
0
2
3
3
3
Swell
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
12
1.3
SW
12
1
SW
12
0.8
SW
11
0.6
SW
19
1
SW
19
3
W
12
3
WSW
12
2.5
SW
12
2.3
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2
SW
14
1.9
SW
13
1.9
SW
13
2.3
SW
12
2.4
SW
12
2.3
SW
12
2
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
718
450
263
147
234
708
2246
2563
1645
2895
4301
2544
2114
1408
1210
1191
1576
1627
1396
966
Wind (km/h)
25
ENE
35
NE
45
NNE
50
NNE
45
NNW
20
WNW
10
SW
15
E
25
SSE
15
SSE
15
ESE
5
ESE
15
WNW
25
WSW
25
SW
20
SSW
15
SSW
10
SSE
10
SE
15
E
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
4:29PM0.62m
5:01AM0.81m
5:18PM0.61m
5:51AM0.73m
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
Low Tide
10:24PM0.11m
11:30AM0.18m
11:16PM0.17m
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
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
rain showers
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:22
8:21
8:19
8:18
8:17
8:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:07
8:07
8:07
8:07
8:08
8:08
8:09
 mm
18
1
4
1
1
Temp °C
18
19
20
20
20
19
19
19
19
19
19
18
19
19
18
18
18
17
17
17
Feels °C
14
14
13
12
13
17
19
19
17
18
17
19
18
15
14
14
15
15
15
14
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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