Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's get into it.

Right now, the pickin’s are slim at Papa Tangaroa. We got some serious size from the SW, but the wind is just not playing ball. Tuesday morning kicks off with a solid 13ft of WSW swell, and the water is sitting at 69°, which is pretty much average for this time of year. There’s a massive amount of energy in the water – we’re talking 7842 – so there’s power, but that SW wind is blowing cross-on, making it a choppy, bumpy mess. The afternoon gets a bit more cross-shore, but still not the clean conditions we want.

Wednesday and Thursday are a write-off. That wind stays cross-on, and the swell drops through the 10ft to 8ft range, but it’s just not clean. The energy’s still moderate, but the quality is poor.

We finally get a glimmer of hope on Saturday afternoon, the 29th of August. The wind swings around to a light offshore from the north, and that 6ft SW swell starts to clean up nicely. It’s a moderate offshore breeze, so you'll get some clean, lined-up waves, but it’s only a 4/10 on the score, so it’s not a total standout. The swell energy is still decent at 1563.

Sunday the 30th sees a drop in size to 4ft, but that period jumps to 16 seconds, so there's some long-period groundswell. But the rain showers and strong winds ruin it.

Now, hold onto your board, because Monday the 31st of August is a beast. We’ve got a huge 16ft SW swell rolling in with periods of 15-16 seconds. The wave energy is off the charts at 12278. This is a serious, expert-only setup. The problem is the wind is howling cross-on from the SW at 18 mph, turning it into a lumpy, unsurfable mess. It’s just too dangerous for all but the most crazy.

The first week of September shows some promise, but it’s still a bit on the messy side. The size is still big, but the wind is mostly cross-shore.

Then, on Thursday the 3rd of September, things get interesting. The wind drops to absolutely glassy. We’ve got a 7ft swell from the SSW with a 12-second period. The wave energy is moderate at 1341, but glassy conditions are a major positive. This is your pick of the first week.

Friday the 4th of September keeps the goodness going with another glassy morning on 5ft SW swell. The afternoon has a light cross-offshore, keeping it clean.

But the real standout? That’s Saturday the 5th of September. We’ve got a 7ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period and clean, light offshore wind from the north. The wave energy is strong at 2724. This is a classic reef set-up, and with that kind of period, it’s going to hold up nicely and offer some long, powerful lines. The afternoon keeps the 7ft size with a gentle offshore. That’s the one to circle on your calendar.

The week after that is a mixed bag. Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th get messy again with onshore winds. The following week has some decent swell with 8ft from the SW on Tuesday the 8th, but the wind is cross-shore. This is a spot that doesn’t break often, so when the conditions line up, you have to go. It’s fairly consistent but the crowds are rare, so you might have it to yourself.

Remember, long period swells over 15 seconds are best for reefs, and this spot is a reef, so that Saturday is looking like the best bet. Everything else is just waiting for the wind to cooperate.

Rusty.

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