Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 24 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
14.8°C
0.5° 

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 23 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 31 Oct, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 31 Oct, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, WSW swell with 4,320 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 31 Oct, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s 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 Saturday (Oct 31) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Oct 31) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Oct 27) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Sat 31st Oct)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Best Surf10AM (Sat 31st Oct)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sat 31st Oct)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the NW on Sat morning, strong winds from the NNW by Mon night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Tue morning, light winds from the W by Wed morning).

Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
Friday
30
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
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
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)
1.5
WSW
16
1.5
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
15
1.5
WSW
16
1.5
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
2
NW
6
4
WNW
9
3.5
W
12
3
W
11
1.5
WSW
13
2.5
W
10
3
WSW
8
3
W
8
3.5
W
8
3
W
9
3.5
WSW
9
3
WSW
13
3.5
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1027
949
638
794
1081
1001
785
621
273
2519
3275
1904
760
1303
1452
1141
1605
1517
2067
3406
4098
Wind (km/h)
20
NW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
NW
20
NW
25
NW
30
NNW
40
NNW
45
NNW
30
W
25
WSW
15
W
25
W
35
W
35
W
30
W
25
W
25
W
30
W
30
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
High Tide
9:12PM3.07m
9:44AM3.09m
9:53PM3.21m
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
Low Tide
3:11PM0.42m
3:31AM0.25m
3:51PM0.27m
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
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
—
—
6:24
—
—
6:22
—
—
6:22
—
—
6:20
—
—
6:18
—
—
6:18
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:52
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—
7:52
—
—
7:53
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—
7:54
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—
7:55
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—
7:57
—
—
7:58
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1
7
—
—
1
—
—
2
2
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
15
14
14
13
14
13
15
15
15
15
14
13
13
12
13
14
14
14
14
14
13
Feels °C
11
10
10
9
9
10
10
9
8
8
8
7
9
6
5
8
8
10
9
7
7
  • 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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