Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 26 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
15.1°C
0.8° 

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 25 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 27 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 30 Oct, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with 4,212 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 27 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period with W 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 Tuesday (Oct 27) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Oct 30) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Oct 27) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Tue 27th Oct)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Best Surf 7PM (Tue 27th Oct)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 7AM (Fri 30th Oct)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Mon night, light winds from the SSE by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Thu morning, calm by Sat morning).

Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
1
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
2
4
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
2.1
NW
6
3
W
10
3.5
W
12
2.2
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
1.6
WSW
11
2.5
W
8
3
W
8
4
WSW
10
3.5
WSW
10
3.5
WSW
14
3
WSW
14
3.5
WSW
13
3.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
13
2.2
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
785
538
328
1608
3446
1081
436
639
712
1134
2756
2631
3867
3734
3736
3576
2206
1404
949
948
508
Wind (km/h)
25
NW
35
NNW
40
NNW
40
NNW
25
WSW
25
WSW
25
WNW
30
W
30
W
40
WNW
30
WSW
30
W
30
W
30
WNW
30
WNW
20
WSW
15
S
5
ESE
25
NNW
30
NNW
30
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
10:22AM3.26m
10:35PM3.31m
11:02AM3.38m
11:17PM3.35m
11:42AM3.42m
00:01AM3.31m
12:26PM3.37m
00:48AM3.20m
1:15PM3.26m
1:42AM3.03m
2:12PM3.09m
2:47AM2.86m
3:20PM2.93m
4:00AM2.73m
Low Tide
4:11AM0.12m
4:32PM0.17m
4:51AM0.07m
5:13PM0.14m
5:33AM0.09m
5:57PM0.20m
6:18AM0.19m
6:44PM0.33m
7:06AM0.35m
7:38PM0.50m
7:58AM0.55m
8:38PM0.68m
8:58AM0.74m
9:44PM0.81m
clear
clear
light rain
heavy rain
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
—
—
6:22
—
—
6:20
—
—
6:18
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—
6:18
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—
6:16
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—
6:15
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—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:53
—
—
7:54
—
—
7:55
—
—
7:57
—
—
7:58
—
—
7:59
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—
8:00
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 mm
—
—
5
12
—
—
—
2
—
3
1
—
2
—
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
15
15
15
15
14
12
14
13
13
14
13
13
14
14
14
13
13
11
15
15
16
Feels °C
9
9
9
9
9
6
8
6
6
7
7
6
8
8
9
8
10
9
9
9
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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