Surf Forecasts:
Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 14,625 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s 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 (Jul 20) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Papa Tangaroa in the next 16 days are 5.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. We're looking at a solid run of swell heading into Papa Tangaroa, but it's a mixed bag of conditions, so you gotta pick your moments. The reef is exposed to the south and that's the sweet spot for direction.
The first few days are a write-off. Sunday the 19th is no good with onshore winds and poor surf. Monday the 20th though, we get a clean-up. The morning brings a 4ft swell from the WSW with a period of 11 seconds, and a light offshore breeze from the north. It's not huge, but it'll be clean with moderate wave energy (637). By Monday afternoon, the wind picks up to a fresh 19 mph offshore, which will keep things tidy, but the swell drops to 3ft and the period goes way long to 16 seconds. That long period groundswell can be a bit straight at a reef, but it might still offer some fun ones.
Tuesday the 21st is a write-off with rain and strong cross-shore winds. The swell jumps up but the conditions are messy. Wednesday the 22nd sees a big jump in energy. By Wednesday afternoon, we're looking at a 10ft swell from the WSW with an 18-second period, and moderate wave energy (5716). The wind is cross-offshore, so it's clean. This is big, powerful stuff. Over 8ft, so this is for the experts only. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th see even bigger swell, with 13ft+ on Friday, but the wind is cross or cross-onshore, making it lumpy and challenging. Saturday the 25th is a total mess with strong cross-onshore winds and a massive 18ft swell.
Now, the standout window. Sunday the 26th of July. The morning is okay, but the afternoon is the pick. The wind goes completely glassy, dead calm, with a 8ft swell from the SW and a 12-second period. The wave energy is moderate (1875). It's described as excellent surf for experienced surfers. That's the one to circle. Then Monday the 27th morning has a moderate offshore breeze and a 7ft swell from the SW, which is still very good.
Looking into the second week, it gets messy with strong onshore winds until Monday the 3rd of August. The morning of the 3rd is a late call: a 13ft swell from the WSW with a 14-second period, a light offshore wind from the north, and exceptional conditions for experts. That's a big, clean swell, but it's a long way out, so keep an eye on it.
The water temp is about average for the time of year here at Papa Tangaroa.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Warm (max 21°C on Mon night, min 19°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue night, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Tue night, strong winds from the W by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 26 | SW 24 | SW 22 | SW 20 | SW 19 | WSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 690 | 473 | 483 | 495 | 387 | 302 | 527 | 1083 | 2039 | 2640 | 3939 | 5597 | 2285 | 5182 | 4981 | 8412 | 8381 | 8208 | 12393 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 11:27PM0.67m | 11:29AM0.71m | 00:24AM0.73m | 12:25PM0.69m | 1:13AM0.77m | 1:14PM0.66m | 1:55AM0.80m | 1:55PM0.63m | 2:31AM0.81m | 2:30PM0.59m | 3:04AM0.82m | 3:00PM0.56m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:22AM0.26m | 5:57PM0.15m | 6:30AM0.24m | 6:41PM0.14m | 7:27AM0.23m | 7:20PM0.15m | 8:16AM0.23m | 7:53PM0.16m | 8:58AM0.23m | 8:22PM0.17m | 9:35AM0.24m | 8:47PM0.18m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  |  |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 24 | SW 22 | SW 20 | SW 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSE 11 | — |
| kJ | 690 | 473 | 483 | 495 | 387 | 245 | 169 | 1083 | 2039 | 2640 | 3939 | 5597 | 2025 | 5182 | 4981 | 8412 | 8381 | 64 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 26 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 9 | W 8 | S 11 | SW 17 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | — | — |
| kJ | 47 | 91 | 58 | 190 | 203 | 302 | 527 | 167 | 160 | 538 | 291 | 119 | 2285 | 617 | 1092 | 229 | 93 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SE 9 | SW 17 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | — | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 47 | 42 | 100 | 52 | 47 | 41 | 60 | 26 | 26 | 82 | 475 | — | 151 | 135 | 110 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | WNW 10 | W 8 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | SW 15 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 631 | 597 | 725 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8208 | 12393 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3525 | 3684 | 3677 | 3610 | 2 | 3610 | 3588 | 3635 | 3635 | 3635 | 3588 | 3588 | 3588 | 3566 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Easter Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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