Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 pm 23 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
15.6° C

1.0°C warmer than normal for this time of year

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 23 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 26 Jun, 9PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 26 Jun, 9PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 5,958 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 24 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s 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 Wednesday (Jun 24) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 5.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jun 26) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 24) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Wed 24th Jun)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Fri 26th Jun)16ft (5.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 9PM (Fri 26th Jun)16ft (5.0m) 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

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Tue afternoon, gales from the SSE by Thu night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat night, min 9°C on Fri afternoon). Mainly strong winds.

Tue
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
!
!
0
1
1
1
1
1
!
2
1
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)
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
4
SSE
9
4.5
SSE
10
5
SSE
10
5
SSE
11
4.5
SSE
10
3
SSE
9
3
SSE
8
2.3
SSE
8
0.9
SW
14
1
SW
14
1.3
WSW
14
2.5
SSE
8
3
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
8
1.9
SSE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
412
368
264
183
194
450
2532
3933
4752
5508
4237
1518
1223
705
337
412
691
936
1093
731
387
Wind (km/h)
10
NE
15
NE
20
NE
25
ENE
15
ENE
50
SE
50
SE
60
SSE
60
SSE
35
SSE
30
S
35
SE
40
SSE
40
SE
35
SE
35
SE
40
SE
35
SE
35
SE
30
ESE
30
ESE
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
4:32PM2.58m
5:01AM2.62m
5:42PM2.57m
6:06AM2.60m
6:47PM2.64m
7:04AM2.63m
7:38PM2.76m
7:54AM2.71m
8:21PM2.89m
8:38AM2.81m
8:59PM3.00m
9:18AM2.90m
9:35PM3.10m
9:55AM2.97m
Low Tide
10:47PM1.00m
11:21AM0.91m
11:56PM1.02m
12:25PM0.89m
1:00AM0.97m
1:21PM0.83m
1:51AM0.89m
2:08PM0.76m
2:33AM0.81m
2:49PM0.69m
3:11AM0.75m
3:27PM0.64m
3:48AM0.70m
cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
5:08
5:09
5:09
 mm
2
2
4
1
3
3
2
10
1
5
2
Temp °C
14
13
14
14
14
12
10
11
9
9
12
12
12
13
13
13
12
12
13
11
10
Feels °C
12
11
10
9
12
3
-1
-1
-4
1
4
5
4
7
7
7
5
5
6
3
3
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
14
1.5
N
7
2.1
N
8
2.1
NNW
9
1.6
NNW
9
2.1
WSW
13
2.2
WSW
12
1.9
WSW
12
1.7
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.2
SW
13
1
WSW
10
1
SW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.1
SW
12
Energy kJ
412
368
205
581
677
371
1344
1459
1027
850
538
563
555
486
229
412
691
617
509
437
353
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
N
5
0.3
WNW
7
0.9
SW
14
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
0.8
NNW
8
0.1
S
17
0.9
SW
14
0.9
WSW
10
0.7
WSW
10
0.3
WSW
17
0.2
WSW
16
0.4
SW
15
Energy kJ
33
11
264
183
194
450
73
6
305
161
81
59
26
59
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WNW
8
0.1
S
13
0.1
NW
7
0.1
S
11
0.1
S
19
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
17
Energy kJ
21
3
2
2
7
6
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
N
6
0.4
ENE
3
0.7
E
4
0.4
SE
5
2.3
SSE
6
4
SSE
9
4.5
SSE
10
5
SSE
10
5
SSE
11
4.5
SSE
10
3
SSE
9
3
SSE
8
2.3
SSE
8
1.8
SSE
7
1.8
SSE
7
2.2
SSE
7
2.5
SSE
8
3
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
8
1.9
SSE
7
Energy kJ
66
4
16
9
448
2532
3933
4752
5508
4237
1518
1223
705
337
295
459
936
1093
731
387
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
1
2
4
4
2
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
Distance (km)
0
0
0
193
0
111
148
148
149
149
148
35
39
31
31
31
35
35
31
31
31
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
5
4
4
4
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
8
8
8
5
5
5
5
6
5
5
5
5
9
7
8
9
7
5
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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