Overview
Tangaroa is a right-hand reef break for experts only, breaking over uneven reef. Papa Tangaroa earned its name when Laird Hamilton and crew returned to the island in 2001 and towed into heavy barrels over the reef. A few locals, inspired by those jetski tow-ins, now run their own skis and are reliably out there when it's on, and the wave is a favorite with local bodyboarders.
When It Works
The break draws swell from southwest to southeast (SW-SE), with southwest (SW) the best match, and it's usable from 1.8 m / 6 ft to 6.1 m / 20 ft. Consistency is moderate. It's a right; the left looks makeable but leads somewhere dangerous, so leave it alone. Southeast swells are the ones to respect, making entry and exit treacherous and bringing down deadly sections, and getting caught inside the shallow, urchin-covered impact zone is a serious risk.
Wind and Tide
Look for north (N) offshore wind. It comes in on mid and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is a proper experts-only wave, and nothing less. The lineup stays fairly quiet, though the local ski crew and bodyboarders turn up whenever it's breaking.
