Papa Tangaroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s cookin’ for this stretch.

We’ve got a solid run of swell on the cards for Papa Tangaroa, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag for the first week. The real standout is shaping up for the very end of the outlook, so hang tight.

The first event is Saturday afternoon, August 8th. We’re seeing a 6ft SSE swell, but with a 9 mph SSW wind blowing onshore, it’s going to be messy. The combined energy is moderate (1115), but that onshore wind is a killer. Sunday morning drops to a 5ft SE swell with lighter SSW wind, still onshore, so it’s not great. Sunday afternoon goes tiny at 2ft, but the wind swings to a light cross-onshore and the period jumps to 16 seconds – a real long-period groundswell, but it’s just too small to get excited about.

Now, Monday the 10th is where it starts to get interesting. Morning shows a 7ft WSW swell with a 14-second period, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the WNW at 12 mph. The energy is ramping up big time (3586), and that cross-off wind is a winner. This is a solid option for experienced surfers, as 7ft is pushing it for beginners. The afternoon holds the same size with a 17-second period, but the wind picks up to 16 mph, still cross-off. It’s clean, but the wind is getting a bit fresh.

Tuesday the 11th sees the swell push to 8ft, but the wind is back onshore and then cross-onshore, making it a choppy, poor mess. Wednesday the 12th through Friday the 14th is a frustrating pattern: solid 7ft to 8ft SW swell, but the wind is either onshore or a lumpy cross-shore. The energy is strong (up to 2568), but the conditions are just not cooperating for a good paddle. Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th actually have clean, cross-off and offshore winds, but the swell drops to 4ft-6ft. The offshore wind is strong, 25-28 mph, which makes it clean but really hard to paddle into.

Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th are a nice little window. Monday has a 6ft SW swell with a fresh offshore breeze from the N at 19-22 mph – clean, punchy conditions. Tuesday morning is the gem here: a 5ft SW swell, a gentle offshore wind from the NNW at 9 mph, and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” The energy is moderate (664), but that light offshore wind on a 12-second swell will make for some fun, lined-up waves.

There’s a lull with poor conditions on Wednesday the 19th, but then the real highlight comes in. Saturday the 22nd is a beauty: 6ft from the W, 10-second period, and a clean offshore wind from the NNW. The energy is moderate (939), and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is a solid pick for a fun session.

But the absolute standout of the entire 16-day outlook is Sunday the 23rd of August. We’re looking at a 5ft SW swell, a 16-second period (very long period groundswell), and a clean offshore wind from the N at 12 mph. The combined energy is strong (2725), and the forecast rates it as “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is a reef break, so that long period will wrap in beautifully. The water temp is about 69°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year. This is the one to circle on the calendar – just be aware it’s a break for the experienced crew.

Rusty.

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