
Surf Forecasts:
Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 4,711 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period with WSW 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 9s. 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty.
Alright, let's have a proper look at what's on offer for the next couple of weeks. The early part of the outlook is a write-off, I'm afraid. We've got a solid, onshore southerly blow hammering the coast through to the end of the weekend, which is just mashing up a decent-sized 13-foot swell. Not a chance of a wave worth paddling for. They're calling it "poor surf conditions" and I'm not gonna argue with that. The energy is huge—over 5600—but with 25 mph winds straight on it, it's just a washing machine.
We’ve then got a long gap with no good surf until Monday the 10th.
That Monday morning, the 10th of August, is when things finally turn. The wind swings around to a glassy NNW, and it’s *on*. Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa) is looking at a 7-foot swell from the WSW. The period stretches way out to 14 seconds, which means it's a proper groundswell, packing serious punch. The combined energy is sitting at 3189, so there's plenty of grunt in the water. For a reef break like this, that long-period, clean swell is going to set up some beautiful, well-shaped lines. This is the standout of the whole outlook—excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The water is sitting at 69°F, which is about what you'd expect for this time of year.
Later that Monday afternoon, we get a 7-foot SW swell at 18 seconds, which is a very long period, and a clean cross-offshore wind. It’s marked as marginal though, probably a tide issue, but the window of quality is there.
Tuesday the 11th is a write-off again as the wind turns cross-onshore and the swell gets a bit too unruly and lumpy. Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th offer only marginal windows with cleanish winds but messy, onshore chop in the mix.
Friday the 14th of August morning is another highlight. We get a big 10-foot SW groundswell, again with a long 14-second period, and clean, light cross-offshore winds. The energy is a solid 2882, and the forecast says it's excellent for experienced surfers. This is a proper session for the crew who know what they're doing—that size at that period on a reef requires your full attention.
The weekend of the 15th and 16th hangs in there, with the swell staying in the 8-foot to 10-foot range and the wind holding cross-offshore. The energy is high (over 3500 on Saturday arvo), but the forecasts start calling it "marginal", so the quality might be a bit mixed with cloudy conditions and the odd risk of a thunderstorm on the Sunday.
After that, into the second week, the swell starts to back off. From Monday the 17th onwards, we're looking at clean, cross-off winds, but the swell drops below 7 feet and the energy tapers off significantly, down to around 600-800 by the 19th and 20th. The period stays long on the 20th (19 seconds!), but with the swell only at 3 to 3 feet, it's going to be pretty weak. Winds also get messy again towards the end of the week.
And that final weekend, the 22nd, sees a big, ugly, short-period swell (12 feet to 16 feet at 9-12 seconds) slamming in with a strong cross-onshore wind. That's a messy, lumpy grey mess—definitely a kite surfer's playground, not for the paddle crew.
So to wrap it up: the entire first week is a no-go until Monday morning the 10th. That Monday morning and Friday the 14th morning are your absolute best bets for clean, powerful, long-period waves at Papa Tangaroa. The second week is a slow wind-down with smaller, cleaner but weaker waves.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 18°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Fri morning, calm by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon night, min 17°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the NW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4497 | 3604 | 1908 | 1044 | 788 | 611 | 398 | 338 | 1111 | 1667 | 2552 | 4106 | 3919 | 2953 | 2056 | 1589 | 1733 | 1708 | 1919 | 2065 | 2995 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:40PM0.61m | 2:17AM0.91m | 2:19PM0.61m | 2:58AM0.94m | 3:01PM0.61m | 3:42AM0.93m | 3:46PM0.60m | 4:28AM0.90m | 4:38PM0.59m | 5:20AM0.85m | 5:39PM0.56m | 6:21AM0.78m | 6:58PM0.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:33PM0.09m | 8:49AM0.17m | 8:12PM0.07m | 9:32AM0.16m | 8:53PM0.07m | 10:17AM0.17m | 9:39PM0.09m | 11:06AM0.19m | 10:30PM0.13m | 12:02PM0.22m | 11:30PM0.19m | 1:08PM0.24m | 00:48AM0.26m | ||||||||
7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | |
— | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 14 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
826 | 1213 | 1908 | 1044 | 788 | 203 | 398 | 338 | 1111 | 1667 | 2552 | 4106 | 3919 | 2953 | 2056 | 1589 | 1733 | 1708 | 1919 | 2065 | 2995 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | ENE 8 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SE 9 | SW 18 | WSW 14 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 9 |
335 | 272 | 1082 | 528 | 404 | 21 | 299 | 268 | 168 | 1404 | 1621 | 70 | 86 | 92 | 68 | 50 | 50 | 49 | 33 | 12 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | WSW 13 | ENE 8 | SW 13 | E 8 | SE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | N 12 | N 11 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 171 | 90 | 118 | 70 | 72 | 20 | 15 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 34 | 20 | 19 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | — | — | — | SSE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | — | — | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 7 | — | — | — | — |
4497 | 3604 | — | — | — | 611 | — | — | — | — | — | 38 | — | — | 89 | 102 | 86 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3566 | 3602 | 3562 | 6 | 6 | 3541 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 3577 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 3635 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Easter Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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











