Papa Tangaroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 27.17° S 109.38° W

Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 31 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papa Tangaroa sea temperature is
20.7°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 31 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 8,150 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Papa Tangaroa this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Papa Tangaroa in the next 16 days are 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) 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 0.4m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (-06) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 31st Aug)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Gather 'round, crew. It's Rusty, and I've been staring at the charts for Tanga-Roa. This is a wild one – we've got a massive, long-period groundswell rolling in, but the winds are going to make it a proper battle for most of the next two weeks. If you're an advanced surfer with a big-wave quiver, listen up, because this is a specialist's game.

The big story is a serious South-West groundswell that hits on Monday, August 31st. We're talking 13ft of swell with a 17-second period, and the combined energy is absolutely pumping at 10022 (moderate to strong energy). That's a lot of water moving. But here's the rub – the wind is howling from the WSW at 16 mph, making it a messy, cross-onshore chop. It's a proper battle out there, and the water temp is 69°, which is about normal for this time of year.

Monday afternoon, the wind swings W at 12 mph, turning it cross-shore, and the swell stays at 13ft with a 16-second period (8864 combined energy). It's still a beast, but the wind state is a little less messy. For a reef break like Papa Tangaroa, that long period is great for shape, but the sheer size is only for the experienced.

Tuesday, September 1st, the swell drops to 12ft and then 10ft, but the cross-onshore wind from the WSW sticks around, keeping it choppy. Wednesday, September 2nd, the wind goes onshore from the SSW at 9 mph, and the swell is a still-juicy 8ft with a 14-second period. It's still marginal, but that's about the best on offer for the first week if you're keen on a paddle.

The end of the first week into the second week is a bit of a write-off. Thursday and Friday have 7ft to 7ft swell, but the wind is constantly cross-onshore, creating chop. The combined energy is still decent, but the quality is poor.

Now, for the brave and the patient, there is a glimmer. Saturday, September 12th, the afternoon looks interesting. The swell drops to 4ft, but the wind goes cross-offshore from the NE at 6 mph, and the forecast says "expect very good surf conditions." It's clean, and the light breeze will make for smooth faces. That's the standout window for quality over power.

The following week, Sunday, September 13th, offers clean but smaller surf (5ft S swell) with cross-offshore winds, which is promising but less certain. From there, it gets messy again as the swell direction shifts to the west and the winds pick up.

If you're a beginner, this entire forecast is a hard pass. Anything over 5ft, especially with onshore wind, is a washing machine. For the experts, the Monday-Tuesday window is your call to action, but it's a survival mission. For everyone else, wait for that Saturday afternoon session – it's the one to circle.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
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
7
5
0
0
2
2
2
1
0
1
2
2
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4
SW
17
4
SW
16
4
SW
16
3.5
SW
15
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2
SW
12
1.9
SW
12
1.3
SW
17
2
SW
15
2
SW
16
1.5
SW
13
2.1
SW
14
2.1
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
2.3
SW
16
2.3
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
9565
8828
7201
4733
4193
2903
2570
2191
1730
1206
993
1062
1661
1847
755
1736
1760
1270
2895
2721
2238
Wind (km/h)
25
WSW
20
W
30
WSW
20
WSW
20
WSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
15
S
20
S
20
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSE
10
SE
15
SE
15
SE
10
SSE
15
SSE
20
SE
20
ESE
15
SE
20
ESE
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
9:43AM0.54m
10:29PM0.63m
10:48AM0.55m
11:18PM0.71m
11:37AM0.57m
00:00AM0.79m
12:17PM0.59m
00:39AM0.85m
12:55PM0.60m
1:18AM0.90m
1:31PM0.62m
1:56AM0.92m
2:08PM0.63m
2:36AM0.91m
Low Tide
3:54PM0.29m
4:58AM0.28m
4:43PM0.25m
5:52AM0.22m
5:24PM0.20m
6:35AM0.17m
6:02PM0.15m
7:14AM0.14m
6:40PM0.10m
7:52AM0.12m
7:18PM0.08m
8:29AM0.11m
7:57PM0.06m
cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:31
7:30
7:28
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:04
7:04
7:05
7:05
7:05
7:06
7:06
 mm
1
Temp °C
17
18
17
17
17
18
18
17
17
17
16
16
16
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
Feels °C
12
14
12
13
13
14
15
14
13
13
12
12
13
14
13
15
13
13
13
14
14
  • 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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