Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 30 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
13.8°C
0.2° 

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 30 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 5 Oct, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 1 Oct, 4AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 1,469 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 5 Oct, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Monday (Oct 05) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 2.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Oct 01) 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 0.4m 4s period and expected on Monday (Oct 05) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 5th Oct)4.5ft (1.4m) 14s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 5th Oct)4.5ft (1.4m) 14s
Most Powerful 4AM (Thu 1st Oct)6.5ft (2.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon night).

Wednesday
30
Thursday
1
Friday
2
Saturday
3
Sunday
4
Monday
5
Tuesday
6
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
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
1
3
3
2
3
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)
2.3
WSW
14
2.1
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
2
WSW
8
2.1
WSW
8
0.9
WSW
16
1.1
SW
16
1.2
WSW
15
1.2
WSW
14
1.8
WSW
14
1.9
SSE
7
1.3
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.4
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2139
1674
1322
501
447
536
425
558
576
553
1355
352
663
617
690
572
494
486
909
807
921
Wind (km/h)
20
W
20
W
15
WNW
25
WNW
30
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
30
WNW
30
WNW
20
WNW
35
SE
30
ESE
25
ESE
20
SSE
10
E
5
SE
10
S
5
NNE
15
WNW
25
WNW
20
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
12:41PM3.31m
00:58AM3.23m
1:24PM3.19m
1:45AM3.05m
2:15PM3.02m
2:44AM2.84m
3:21PM2.83m
4:02AM2.67m
4:46PM2.72m
5:26AM2.62m
6:11PM2.75m
6:42AM2.67m
7:21PM2.87m
Low Tide
6:57PM0.33m
7:18AM0.35m
7:45PM0.53m
8:06AM0.56m
8:41PM0.74m
9:03AM0.79m
9:49PM0.91m
10:14AM0.96m
11:08PM0.99m
11:39AM0.99m
00:29AM0.92m
1:00PM0.88m
1:40AM0.74m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
—
—
7:01
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—
6:58
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—
6:56
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6:56
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—
6:54
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6:52
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:27
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—
7:28
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—
7:29
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—
7:30
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7:30
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7:31
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7:32
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
3
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
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Temp °C
13
13
11
11
11
11
12
13
13
13
11
9
10
10
9
12
12
10
12
12
14
Feels °C
9
9
8
5
5
6
7
8
9
10
4
2
5
5
6
9
10
9
8
7
8
  • 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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