10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Papenoo, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Papenoo sits on Tahiti's north coast where a mountain river meets the sea—a rare spot that catches North Pacific energy during the summer hemisphere winter. This rivermouth setup creates shifting sandbars and reef sections that offer variety depending on conditions and swell direction. When north swells pulse through, Papenoo provides an alternative to the island's south-facing waves, extending the surf season for those based in Tahiti. The black sand beach, mountain backdrop, and less-crowded lineup make it feel more remote than its proximity to Papeete suggests.
Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-09 with a score of 15/100 (Poor)
Poor conditions overall: Average score 7/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
No alignment: Swell from 93° is outside workable range 300°-20°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Marginal size: 1.2m is 0.7m from ideal 1.9m.
Short period: 9s is below minimum 10s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 8 km/h from 35° (NE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
Poor conditions at Papenoo. Either swell direction (93°), size (1.2m), or wind (8 km/h from 35°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 93° (E) at 9s period
No alignment: Swell from 80° is outside workable range 300°-20°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Marginal size: 1.1m is 0.8m from ideal 1.9m.
Short period: 8s is below minimum 10s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 6 km/h from 53° (NE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Poor conditions at Papenoo. Either swell direction (80°), size (1.1m), or wind (6 km/h from 53°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.1m (3.6ft) swell from 80° (E) at 8s period
Too small: 0.7m is below minimum 0.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Onshore/cross-shore: 6 km/h from 33° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Poor conditions at Papenoo. Either swell direction (80°), size (0.7m), or wind (6 km/h from 33°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.7m (2.3ft) swell from 80° (E) at 8s period
No alignment: Swell from 150° is outside workable range 300°-20°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Moderate period: 12s meets minimum 10s but below ideal 14s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 15 km/h from 137° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Poor conditions at Papenoo. Either swell direction (150°), size (0.7m), or wind (15 km/h from 137°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.7m (2.3ft) swell from 150° (SSE) at 12s period
Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
No alignment: Swell from 98° is outside workable range 300°-20°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Marginal size: 1.0m is 0.9m from ideal 1.9m.
Perfect period: 15s is at or above ideal 14s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
Onshore/cross-shore: 20 km/h from 133° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Poor conditions at Papenoo. Either swell direction (98°), size (1.0m), or wind (20 km/h from 133°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 98° (E) at 15s period
No alignment: Swell from 160° is outside workable range 300°-20°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Marginal size: 0.8m is 1.1m from ideal 1.9m.
Good period: 17s is 121% of ideal 14s. Clean, powerful groundswell.
Strong offshore: 22 km/h from 140° (SE). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
-7 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
Poor conditions at Papenoo. Either swell direction (160°), size (0.8m), or wind (22 km/h from 140°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.8m (2.6ft) swell from 160° (SSE) at 17s period
Onshore/cross-shore: 26 km/h from 134° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Poor conditions at Papenoo. Either swell direction (93°), size (1.0m), or wind (26 km/h from 134°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 93° (E) at 15s period
No alignment: Swell from 96° is outside workable range 300°-20°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Marginal size: 1.9m is 0.0m from ideal 1.9m.
Perfect period: 14s is at or above ideal 14s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
Onshore/cross-shore: 24 km/h from 124° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
-10 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at Papenoo. Either swell direction (96°), size (1.9m), or wind (24 km/h from 124°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.9m (6.2ft) swell from 96° (E) at 14s period
Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
Marginal size: 1.6m is 0.3m from ideal 1.9m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 24 km/h from 133° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
-17 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
-5 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
Poor conditions at Papenoo. Either swell direction (96°), size (1.6m), or wind (24 km/h from 133°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.6m (5.2ft) swell from 96° (E) at 14s period
No alignment: Swell from 134° is outside workable range 300°-20°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Marginal size: 1.3m is 0.6m from ideal 1.9m.
Perfect period: 16s is at or above ideal 14s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
Onshore/cross-shore: 20 km/h from 125° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
-21 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at Papenoo. Either swell direction (134°), size (1.3m), or wind (20 km/h from 125°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.3m (4.3ft) swell from 134° (SE) at 16s period
Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)