Surf Forecasts:
Papa Tangaroa surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 8,443 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period with SW 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m 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 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papa Tangaroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here lookin’ at the waves for the Tanga-Roa area. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, so let’s get into it.
The first few days are a write-off, honestly. Thursday 27th and Friday 28th are a mess—cross-on winds up to 19 mph, choppy, lumpy conditions with poor surf. Not worth paddlin’ out. The water temp is 69°, which is a bit warmer than usual for this time of year, about 2° above the norm, so it’s a touch tropical but the waves aren’t playin’ ball.
Saturday 29th is where things turn around. We’ve got Papa Tangaroa (Tanga-Roa) showin’ up proper. Saturday morning brings a clean 7 ft SW swell with a light cross-off breeze from the ENE at just 3 mph. That’s glassy, clean surf with 10-second period—moderate wave energy (1649). It’s a treat for experienced surfers. Saturday afternoon stays solid with a 4 ft SW swell, 15-second groundswell period, and offshore winds from the N at 12 mph. The wave energy drops a touch but still healthy (1525). This is the standout of the first week—clean, lined-up waves for the crew who know what they’re doin’.
Sunday 30th and Monday 31st turn ugly again. Sunday gets hammered by 19 mph fresh cross-onshore winds and lumpy surf. Monday jumps up to 12 ft and then 13 ft SW swell with strong energy (6105 and 7768), but the wind is cross-on and it’s choppy as hell. That much size with poor wind is only for the absolute nutters, and even then, it’s not pretty.
Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd September are still big but messy—10 ft SW swells with cross-to-onshore winds and moderate chop. There’s a ton of energy (4328, 3644, 2898) but the quality is marginal. Not the best windows.
We hit another sweet spot on Saturday 5th September. Saturday morning at Papa Tangaroa is prime: 8 ft SW swell, 15-second period, light ENE cross-off wind at 9 mph, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The wave energy is strong (3367) and it’s clean—this is the other standout in the period. Saturday afternoon holds with 8 ft SW, offshore N wind at 12 mph, still clean and solid.
After that, we’re into the second week and the outlook gets patchy. Sunday 6th and Monday 7th see cross-onshore and onshore winds creepin’ back in, with moderate energy (1941 and 1800) but lumpy or unknown conditions. Tuesday 8th offers a glint of hope with an 8 ft SW swell and clean conditions from an 19 mph ENE cross-off wind, but that wind is fresh and might make paddle-out a mission.
From Wednesday 9th onward, it’s a slide into average or poor. Thursday 11th brings another big pulse—10 ft SSW swell with 15-second period and strong energy (4363)—but it’s cross-on and only marginal. The long period at a reef break like this could still produce some sneaky barrels, but the wind ain’t doin’ us any favours.
All told, Saturday 29th August and Saturday 5th September are your go-to sessions. Light wind, clean faces, proper swell. Don’t waste your energy on the rest unless you’re desperate for a paddle.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat night, min 16°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Sat morning, strong winds from the WNW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 17°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1562 | 1413 | 1591 | 1200 | 1463 | 1089 | 820 | 715 | 1140 | 1029 | 1133 | 4938 | 5864 | 7715 | 6346 | 4309 | 3644 | 3325 | 2898 | 2310 | 1750 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:56PM0.51m | 5:36AM0.65m | 5:59PM0.49m | 6:39AM0.59m | 7:38PM0.50m | 8:11AM0.55m | 9:21PM0.55m | 9:43AM0.54m | 10:29PM0.63m | 10:48AM0.55m | 11:18PM0.71m | 11:37AM0.57m | 00:00AM0.79m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:28AM0.30m | 10:44PM0.27m | 12:20PM0.32m | 11:48PM0.32m | 1:31PM0.34m | 1:38AM0.35m | 2:50PM0.32m | 3:39AM0.33m | 3:54PM0.29m | 4:58AM0.28m | 4:43PM0.25m | 5:52AM0.22m | 5:24PM0.20m | ||||||||
7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | |
— | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 10 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
1562 | 1413 | 1591 | 1200 | 1463 | 1089 | 820 | 707 | 1140 | 1029 | 981 | 4938 | 5864 | 7715 | 6346 | 4309 | 3644 | 3325 | 2898 | 2310 | 1750 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 12 | SSW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 11 | S 11 | SW 17 | S 11 | W 16 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | SW 20 |
6 | 37 | 59 | 112 | 201 | 330 | 717 | 715 | 441 | 85 | 1133 | 58 | 186 | 53 | 34 | 19 | — | — | — | — | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | NW 12 | N 12 | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | — | S 11 | WSW 16 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
16 | 6 | 3 | — | — | 15 | 112 | 103 | 87 | — | 88 | 85 | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 4 | — | — | — | — | NW 5 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 32 | — | — | — | — | 53 | 741 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 12 | 3610 | 3610 | 3602 | 3610 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3610 | 3588 | 3541 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 3525 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
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











