Desperation Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 06 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
14.1°C
0.7° 

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, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with 11,903 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period with SSE 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 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s is also forecast. 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 6PM. 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 7s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Mon 7th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 7th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 6PM (Fri 11th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 17s

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


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 52mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 8°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

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

Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
3
0
1
2
2
3
1
0
0
0
1
2
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)
3
WSW
16
2.3
WSW
15
3
SSE
8
1.3
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.1
WSW
11
1
WSW
12
1.9
WSW
11
1.9
W
7
1.5
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
15
3.5
WSW
18
4.5
WSW
18
4
WSW
17
5.5
WSW
11
5
WSW
13
5
WSW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
4234
2483
1299
702
711
689
491
319
256
854
341
1094
1241
7096
10993
9747
7084
7264
4666
Wind (km/h)
30
NNW
30
SE
50
SE
35
SE
10
SSE
10
S
0
N
10
NW
15
NW
30
WNW
25
NW
20
WSW
20
S
20
W
35
WSW
45
WSW
40
SW
35
WSW
30
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
High Tide
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
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
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
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
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:10
 mm
44
5
1
2
7
9
2
1
1
2
Temp °C
15
12
8
8
11
11
10
13
13
12
13
11
10
12
12
11
12
12
12
Feels °C
11
7
-2
-1
7
8
9
8
8
5
8
5
3
4
4
3
4
4
6
  • 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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