Tupira Surf Club
Tupira Surf Club is Papua New Guinea's grassroots surf success story—a community-run operation in Ulingan Bay near Madang that offers remarkably consistent waves over limestone reef. The main break is a fun right-hander directly out front that acts as a north swell magnet, rarely going flat during the October to April season. The wave suits all levels with ordinary power but quality shape, making it the most accessible surf in PNG. Beyond the main break, the bay hides several other reef setups including Suaru (double the size), Tawulte (a 300-400m left), and Rurunat (punchy left). Limited to 12 guests at a time, this is community-controlled surfing at its finest.
Tupira Surf Club surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to MAG, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Pacific is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Pacific — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Tupira Surf Club trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Direction range
- 0° - 70°
- Size range
- 0.5m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.4m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 11s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Offshore range
- 190° - 260°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.5m
- Danger below
- 0.3m
Water temp
29°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: 2-hour drive from Madang on sealed road. Must pre-arrange with Tupira Surf Club. Max 12 guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Tupira Surf Club?
Tupira Surf Club is a reef break in Ulingan Bay, Madang, Papua New Guinea, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Tupira Surf Club?
Tupira Surf Club picks up swell from the N round to the ENE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NE. It starts working at around 0.5m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.4 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 11s or longer, as anything under 7s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Tupira Surf Club?
A SW wind is dead offshore at Tupira Surf Club, and anything from the S round to the W keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Tupira Surf Club?
Tupira Surf Club is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.5m to 1.5m on the local chart. Below 0.3m it gets dangerously shallow.
When is the best time of year to surf Tupira Surf Club?
The most reliable run of swell at Tupira Surf Club comes Oct to Apr. Oct-Apr. North swell magnet—rarely flat during season. ~150 surfable days/year.
How cold is the water at Tupira Surf Club?
The water at Tupira Surf Club averages around 29°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Tupira Surf Club good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Limestone reef bottom. Sharp rocks. Remote area.
How do I get to Tupira Surf Club?
The nearest airport on our list is MAG, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive. 2-hour drive from Madang on sealed road. Must pre-arrange with Tupira Surf Club. Max 12 guests.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Oct-Apr. North swell magnet—rarely flat during season. ~150 surfable days/year.