Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Thursday 28 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Desperation Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
16.4° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Desperation Point surf forecast from 28 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 5 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 5 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, NW swell with 1,594 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 29 May, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s 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 (May 29) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jun 05) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 10s period and expected on Tuesday (Jun 02) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 29th May)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 5th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 3AM (Fri 5th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the NNE by Sun afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Friday
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thu
4
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.5
SW
12
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
12
0.5
W
11
0.6
W
10
0.5
SW
11
0.6
W
9
1
W
6
0.7
WSW
13
0.8
WSW
12
1.3
W
12
0.8
WSW
11
0.4
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
309
313
469
463
352
299
167
74
38
42
38
62
73
63
55
69
154
172
456
153
30
Wind (km/h)
0
WSW
5
NE
5
W
5
N
10
NE
15
NNE
25
NNE
25
NNE
35
NNE
30
NNE
30
NNE
25
NE
25
NNE
15
NNE
25
NNW
30
WNW
30
WNW
20
NW
25
N
30
NNE
35
N
glassy
off
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:19AM2.86m
8:44PM2.99m
8:58AM2.92m
9:19PM3.08m
9:35AM2.97m
9:53PM3.14m
10:11AM2.99m
10:27PM3.16m
10:46AM2.99m
11:01PM3.15m
11:22AM2.95m
11:38PM3.10m
12:00PM2.89m
Low Tide
2:15AM0.68m
2:31PM0.54m
2:54AM0.62m
3:09PM0.51m
3:30AM0.60m
3:45PM0.51m
4:05AM0.61m
4:21PM0.53m
4:40AM0.65m
4:56PM0.58m
5:16AM0.70m
5:32PM0.64m
5:55AM0.76m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
clear
part cloud
mod rain
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:31
7:33
7:33
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:09
5:09
5:08
5:08
5:07
5:07
5:07
1
9
1
5
8
7
1
4
7
3
Temp °C
13
13
14
12
16
16
15
17
18
16
18
17
17
18
17
15
15
16
15
16
17
12
12
13
11
13
12
12
11
13
11
15
14
13
15
14
11
10
13
12
9
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
WSW
6
0.9
WSW
13
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.5
SW
12
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
13
2.5
NNW
9
3
NNW
9
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.6
W
9
0.9
NNW
7
0.7
WSW
13
0.8
WSW
12
1.3
W
12
0.8
WSW
11
0.4
SW
11
Energy kJ
73
313
469
463
352
299
167
74
38
42
1255
1403
73
58
55
77
154
172
456
153
30
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
WSW
6
0.2
S
17
0.2
S
12
0.2
S
12
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
10
0.1
S
10
0.2
WSW
12
0.2
WSW
13
0.4
SW
12
0.5
W
11
0.4
WSW
12
0.5
SW
11
0.4
WSW
11
0.5
SW
11
0.5
N
6
0.7
SW
7
0.3
SW
7
0.2
WSW
16
0.2
WSW
15
Energy kJ
309
30
23
11
11
9
9
2
15
16
38
62
57
63
47
61
20
47
7
24
21
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
S
19
0.2
S
18
0.2
S
4
0.2
S
12
0.2
S
12
0.2
NNW
5
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
10
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
10
0.3
WNW
12
0.4
WSW
12
0.5
E
4
0.4
NNW
11
0.5
W
8
0.3
W
9
0.1
SW
18
0.2
WNW
6
0.1
N
12
0.1
S
9
Energy kJ
61
25
1
11
11
2
9
8
2
2
29
57
8
43
31
13
12
4
3
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NNE
3
0.9
N
5
1.5
N
6
2.2
NNW
8
3
NNW
9
3
NNW
9
0.6
NNE
3
0.3
ENE
4
3.5
NNW
10
2.2
NNW
8
1.8
NNW
8
1
W
6
1.2
W
7
1
WNW
7
0.3
NNW
6
1.6
NNW
6
2.5
NNW
7
Energy kJ
3
37
173
542
1236
1597
7
3
2099
678
446
69
126
96
8
159
800
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
Distance (km)
90
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
86
103
86
103
86
1
0
83
196
215
64
90
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
5
4
4
4
3
2
3
4
2
4
4
4
3
5
4
4
4
3
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
7
5
5
5
5
7
7
6
5
4
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
  • 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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