Desperation Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 10 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
14.0°C
0.6° 

Desperation Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Desperation Point surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with 11,508 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period with WSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Desperation Point this week:

The surf forecast for Desperation Point over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 4.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 11th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 18s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 11th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 18s
Most Powerful 9PM (Fri 11th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Desperation Point over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Fri morning, strong winds from the SW by Fri night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, strong winds from the NNW by Wed morning).

Thu
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
!
0
0
0
6
0
0
2
!
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WSW
13
1.6
WSW
15
3
WSW
18
3.5
WSW
18
4.5
WSW
10
5
WSW
10
2.5
WSW
16
4.5
WSW
16
4
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
16
3
WSW
16
2.3
WSW
15
2.2
WSW
15
1.7
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
0.9
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
9
3
W
9
3.5
WSW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
451
1132
6258
7981
4147
4765
3102
9146
8712
1904
3764
2516
2090
1227
682
538
337
727
1672
1894
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
35
SE
5
SW
35
W
35
SW
35
WSW
20
WSW
35
WSW
30
WSW
15
SW
5
NE
20
W
25
W
25
WNW
25
WNW
30
NW
30
NW
40
NNW
30
WSW
40
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
on
High Tide
9:13PM3.39m
9:36AM3.28m
9:54PM3.44m
10:15AM3.33m
10:32PM3.42m
10:52AM3.31m
11:08PM3.33m
11:27AM3.24m
11:42PM3.19m
12:01PM3.12m
00:16AM3.01m
12:36PM2.97m
00:52AM2.82m
Low Tide
3:03PM0.27m
3:26AM0.19m
3:45PM0.15m
4:07AM0.11m
4:24PM0.14m
4:46AM0.12m
5:02PM0.20m
5:23AM0.19m
5:38PM0.34m
5:59AM0.33m
6:15PM0.52m
6:35AM0.50m
6:54PM0.73m
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:31
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:08
6:09
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:15
 mm
9
3
4
1
3
Temp °C
12
10
12
13
12
12
12
12
13
13
12
13
13
12
13
14
13
12
12
11
Feels °C
9
3
6
6
4
7
7
5
8
10
10
9
8
8
8
9
7
5
5
3
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Desperation Point Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Desperation Point provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Desperation Point can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Desperation Point 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 (Desperation Point) 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 Desperation Point 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 Taranaki? If you are looking for accommodation near Desperation Point, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Taranaki, consider staying in New Plymouth which is 52 km (32 miles) away.

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