Desperation Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 06 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 6 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 26ft (8.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 23,608 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 16s period. 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 8.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Mon 7th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Best Surf 3AM (Mon 7th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sat 12th Sep)26ft (8.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Wed morning, strong winds from the WSW by Fri night).

Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
0
0
4
!
1
3
2
3
1
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)
3.5
WSW
16
3
WSW
16
3
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
15
3
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
8
1.7
WSW
11
1.5
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
12
1
WSW
11
1
WSW
11
1.4
WSW
11
1.3
WSW
11
3
W
8
3
WSW
8
4
WSW
18
5
WSW
17
5.5
WSW
11
7
WSW
13
7.5
WSW
14
6
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
5856
4203
3901
2861
1165
843
674
668
429
270
243
522
346
1020
1343
10582
15821
6389
15157
20586
15047
Wind (km/h)
30
NNW
40
NNW
35
NNW
25
SE
45
ESE
35
SE
10
ESE
5
S
10
ESE
10
NW
20
WNW
35
WNW
35
NNW
35
WSW
15
W
25
SSE
35
WSW
40
WSW
45
WSW
45
WSW
40
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
on
on
on
on
on
High Tide
5:23PM2.71m
5:54AM2.68m
6:39PM2.87m
7:05AM2.82m
7:38PM3.08m
8:03AM3.00m
8:28PM3.26m
8:52AM3.17m
9:13PM3.39m
9:36AM3.28m
9:54PM3.44m
10:15AM3.33m
10:32PM3.42m
Low Tide
10:45AM1.03m
11:40PM1.00m
12:15PM0.92m
00:56AM0.81m
1:23PM0.70m
1:54AM0.56m
2:17PM0.46m
2:43AM0.34m
3:03PM0.27m
3:26AM0.19m
3:45PM0.15m
4:07AM0.11m
4:24PM0.14m
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:06
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:10
 mm
3
18
5
6
3
1
8
5
2
1
3
2
1
2
Temp °C
14
14
15
13
10
9
11
11
10
12
13
12
13
10
10
10
11
11
10
11
11
Feels °C
8
7
10
10
1
0
8
9
8
8
8
6
7
3
5
6
2
4
0
1
2
  • 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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