Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 27 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
14.0°C
0.4° 

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 27 Sep 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Monday 28 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, WSW swell with 4,483 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Desperation Point this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 28) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 1AM (Mon 28th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 11s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Sun morning, light winds from the WSW by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
27
Monday
28
Tuesday
29
Wednesday
30
Thursday
1
Friday
2
Saturday
3
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
0
2
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
3.5
WNW
8
4.5
W
10
4.5
WSW
11
3.5
WSW
11
3
WSW
10
3
WSW
9
3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
14
2.1
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
13
1.1
SW
14
2
WSW
8
2.1
WSW
8
0.9
WSW
16
1.1
SW
16
1.2
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
2
WSW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1589
3922
4483
3071
2121
1597
3559
2705
2325
1723
1299
1303
418
447
522
430
551
553
553
545
938
Wind (km/h)
45
NW
40
WSW
40
WSW
35
W
35
W
30
WSW
30
SW
15
WSW
20
W
20
W
20
W
20
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
20
WNW
20
WNW
15
NW
Wind State
cross
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
10:51AM3.25m
11:03PM3.37m
11:26AM3.34m
11:39PM3.40m
12:02PM3.36m
00:17AM3.35m
12:41PM3.31m
00:58AM3.23m
1:24PM3.19m
1:45AM3.05m
2:15PM3.02m
2:44AM2.84m
3:21PM2.83m
Low Tide
4:59PM0.15m
5:18AM0.08m
5:35PM0.13m
5:56AM0.09m
6:14PM0.19m
6:36AM0.19m
6:57PM0.33m
7:18AM0.35m
7:45PM0.53m
8:06AM0.56m
8:41PM0.74m
9:03AM0.79m
9:49PM0.91m
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:07
—
—
7:05
—
—
7:03
—
—
7:01
—
—
7:01
—
—
6:58
—
—
6:56
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
8:23
—
—
7:24
—
—
7:25
—
—
7:27
—
—
7:28
—
—
7:29
—
—
7:30
—
 mm
2
3
—
—
1
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
14
10
11
12
12
11
12
13
12
13
13
11
11
11
11
12
12
11
13
13
12
Feels °C
6
1
2
4
5
4
6
10
8
9
9
7
5
6
6
7
7
6
9
9
9
  • 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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