Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 08 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
14.2°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 7 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 9 Oct, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 13 Oct, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 17s period, WSW swell with 2,505 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 8 Oct, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Thursday (Oct 08) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 2.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Oct 13) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Oct 11) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Thu 8th Oct)4ft (1.2m) 16s
Best Surf 1AM (Fri 9th Oct)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s
Most Powerful 4PM (Tue 13th Oct)7ft (2.1m) 17s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri night, min 12°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
8
Friday
9
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
4
4
3
4
3
3
2
2
2
3
2
1
3
3
1
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)
1.3
WSW
16
1.3
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
16
1.8
WSW
15
1.6
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
15
1.2
WSW
16
1
WSW
15
1
WSW
15
0.9
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
14
0.7
SW
13
0.7
WSW
17
1.8
WSW
19
2.1
WSW
17
1.8
WSW
16
1.6
WSW
15
1.6
WSW
14
3
WSW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
768
784
722
1750
1488
1067
807
780
641
449
455
357
243
180
267
2194
2505
1566
1067
982
963
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
25
SE
15
ESE
5
ESE
10
SSE
5
NE
5
N
5
NNE
25
N
20
NNE
20
NNW
5
NNE
5
SE
5
SSE
5
N
15
NNW
25
NNW
25
N
35
NNW
30
W
35
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
8:45AM2.94m
9:07PM3.14m
9:32AM3.08m
9:50PM3.22m
10:13AM3.18m
10:29PM3.25m
10:50AM3.25m
11:06PM3.24m
11:25AM3.26m
11:40PM3.18m
11:58AM3.22m
00:13AM3.08m
12:32PM3.14m
00:47AM2.96m
Low Tide
2:57PM0.49m
3:21AM0.36m
3:42PM0.34m
4:03AM0.23m
4:23PM0.26m
4:41AM0.18m
5:00PM0.25m
5:18AM0.19m
5:36PM0.31m
5:53AM0.26m
6:11PM0.43m
6:28AM0.38m
6:47PM0.58m
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
—
—
6:48
—
—
6:46
—
—
6:45
—
—
6:43
—
—
6:41
—
—
6:39
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:35
—
—
7:36
—
—
7:37
—
—
7:37
—
—
7:38
—
—
7:39
—
—
7:40
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
8
4
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
5
2
3
Temp °C
13
13
13
16
16
17
17
17
15
16
17
14
16
15
15
17
17
15
15
13
12
Feels °C
10
8
9
15
15
17
15
16
13
13
14
13
14
14
15
13
13
10
9
7
6
  • 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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