Desperation Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 10 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 10 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with 11,983 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 19s. Another secondary swell of 2.4m 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 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 11th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 18s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 11th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 18s
Most Powerful 9PM (Fri 11th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 17s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Fri morning, strong winds from the WSW by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the NW by Tue night).

Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
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
2
!
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
!
0
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)
1.2
WSW
11
1.2
WSW
13
1.6
WSW
15
3
WSW
18
3.5
WSW
18
4.5
WSW
10
5
WSW
10
2.5
WSW
16
4
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
16
3
WSW
16
2.4
WSW
15
2.2
WSW
15
2.4
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
2
W
7
3
W
9
3
WSW
10
3.5
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
305
451
1117
6258
8388
4147
5041
3062
8875
2372
1904
4014
2613
2119
2253
774
630
342
1567
1780
5367
Wind (km/h)
25
NW
20
WNW
35
SE
10
SW
35
W
40
WSW
35
SW
20
WSW
35
WSW
30
WSW
25
SW
15
W
20
W
25
W
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
NW
30
NW
25
WSW
30
WSW
35
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
High Tide
9:13PM3.39m
9:36AM3.28m
9:54PM3.44m
10:15AM3.33m
10:32PM3.42m
10:52AM3.31m
11:08PM3.33m
11:27AM3.24m
11:42PM3.19m
12:01PM3.12m
00:16AM3.01m
12:36PM2.97m
00:52AM2.82m
Low Tide
3:03PM0.27m
3:26AM0.19m
3:45PM0.15m
4:07AM0.11m
4:24PM0.14m
4:46AM0.12m
5:02PM0.20m
5:23AM0.19m
5:38PM0.34m
5:59AM0.33m
6:15PM0.52m
6:35AM0.50m
6:54PM0.73m
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:31
6:31
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:08
6:09
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:15
 mm
6
1
1
1
4
1
Temp °C
13
12
9
12
13
12
13
12
12
13
13
12
13
13
12
13
14
14
12
13
12
Feels °C
8
8
1
5
6
4
9
7
5
7
8
9
9
8
7
7
9
8
7
6
4
  • 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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