Desperations Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Desperations (reef break). Overall, the next 16 days offer a mixed bag—some real moments of glassy perfection, but also some rough, blown-out spells and a stretch where the ocean gets too feisty for paddle surfing. The water’s sitting at a comfy 78°, right on the money for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The best surf of the whole window lands on Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th. That’s where you want to be. Wednesday the 26th starts with a morning offshores from NNE at 6 mph, a solid 2ft SSW groundswell ticking along at 18 seconds. Then the afternoon turns to gold: glassy conditions with zero wind, the swell bumps up to 3ft from the SSW, period stretching to 19 seconds. That’s very long period for a reef break like this—expect clean, lined-up waves with plenty of energy. The combined energy is moderate at 803, but the quality will be high. Thursday the 27th follows up with 5ft SSW groundswell, 16-second period, and a clean offshore NNE breeze at 6 mph. That’s excellent for experienced surfers—big enough to be fun but not out of control, and the reef will handle the long-period swell beautifully. It’s a reef break, so it’s best on the points, and the SSW direction matches the optimum for this spot.

The first week is rough. Friday the 14th is small and clean but ordinary—2ft to 2ft, light offshores. Not worth rushing for. Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th are junk: cross-onshore winds, rain, and a pile of chop. Then Monday the 17th through Tuesday the 18th sees the swell building to 5-6ft, but it’s hammered by heavy cross-onshore winds (22-25 mph) and messy seas. Combined energy gets up around 1265 to 1829 (moderate to strong, but ugly). Not surfable.

Then from Wednesday the 19th through Friday the 21st, the swell really pumps up: 7ft to 8ft from the SSE, with very strong combined energy (1950 to 3712). But the guidance says that’s too big for this break. The wind is cross-off or cross-shore, so the face might look clean, but the raw size will make it a beast. For a reef, that’s experts-only territory, and honestly, this setup screams kite surfing more than paddle surfing. The beach-and-reef layout will be messy with that much power.

Saturday the 22nd brings a welcome drop: 4ft SSE swell, bright skies, and a glassy offshore from the E at only 3 mph. Combined energy moderate at 643. Conditions look very good—clean, lined-up waves, size right for intermediates. Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th fade quickly, dropping to 2-3ft and light cross-shore winds, nothing special. Tuesday the 25th is tiny.

Then we hit that standout window again: Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th, already described. Best on offer. After that, Friday the 28th holds clean 4-5ft SSW groundswell with offshore and cross-off winds, still good, but then Saturday the 29th goes back to cross-onshore junk.

So, the clear winner: Wednesday afternoon the 26th and Thursday morning the 27th. Mark your calendar.

Rusty.

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