Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 11 am 18 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
16.0° C

1.2°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 18 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 21 Jun, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, W swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 21 Jun, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, W swell with 2,265 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 19 Jun, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s 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 (Jun 19) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 14s. 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 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jun 21) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 24) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Fri 19th Jun)5ft (1.5m) 11s
Best Surf 9AM (Sun 21st Jun)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 9AM (Sun 21st Jun)10ft (3.0m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat night, min 11°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
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
3
2
2
0
0
0
!
2
1
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
WSW
11
3
WSW
8
1.2
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
11
1.7
WSW
13
1.6
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
1.7
WNW
6
1.7
WSW
7
3
W
11
2.5
W
11
1.9
W
10
0.9
WSW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.9
WSW
13
1
SW
13
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
1.8
NW
7
1.9
WSW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
869
1087
378
581
936
865
286
187
302
2265
1492
697
362
293
293
309
347
288
264
279
480
Wind (km/h)
25
W
30
WSW
20
SSE
10
ESE
10
WNW
20
NW
30
NNW
30
NW
35
NNW
20
W
10
W
10
WNW
5
SE
5
WSW
10
NE
5
NE
10
ENE
15
NE
20
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
Wind State
on
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
High Tide
12:01PM3.22m
00:25AM3.39m
12:53PM3.09m
1:17AM3.22m
1:46PM2.94m
2:09AM3.04m
2:38PM2.79m
3:03AM2.86m
3:33PM2.66m
4:00AM2.71m
4:32PM2.58m
5:01AM2.62m
5:42PM2.57m
Low Tide
6:11PM0.33m
6:46AM0.41m
7:02PM0.47m
7:39AM0.54m
7:54PM0.64m
8:30AM0.66m
8:48PM0.79m
9:22AM0.78m
9:45PM0.92m
10:18AM0.87m
10:47PM1.00m
11:21AM0.91m
11:56PM1.02m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
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
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
 mm
2
1
3
1
2
2
9
Temp °C
13
14
13
13
13
13
15
15
16
15
15
14
14
14
12
14
14
13
14
14
14
Feels °C
7
7
8
12
11
9
10
10
10
13
13
13
14
13
11
12
12
10
10
11
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
14
0.5
WSW
17
1.7
WSW
8
1.5
WSW
11
1.7
WSW
13
1.6
WSW
13
1
W
6
0.7
SW
12
1.7
WSW
7
3
W
11
2.5
W
11
1.9
W
10
1.4
WNW
9
1.2
WNW
9
0.9
WNW
8
0.9
WSW
13
1
SW
13
1.5
N
7
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
1.9
WSW
8
Energy kJ
189
166
376
581
936
865
62
149
302
2265
1492
697
314
243
125
309
347
251
264
215
480
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WSW
18
0.1
S
15
1.2
WSW
12
0.9
WSW
14
0.3
SSE
5
0.1
W
22
0.9
WSW
13
0.3
WSW
20
0.4
SW
18
0.4
WSW
18
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SW
12
0.9
WSW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.8
WNW
8
0.9
N
6
0.9
SW
14
0.3
WNW
7
0.1
S
12
0.6
SW
14
Energy kJ
123
4
378
316
4
9
286
75
82
120
125
112
362
293
293
75
54
288
9
3
158
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSE
5
0.8
WSW
16
0.7
SSE
6
0.1
S
18
0.1
W
22
0.2
WSW
21
0.1
S
11
0.6
WSW
16
0.1
S
6
0.3
SSE
4
0.5
S
5
0.3
SSE
4
0.5
WNW
8
0.2
WNW
8
0.1
SE
5
0.1
S
11
0.3
WSW
18
Energy kJ
8
273
31
6
9
42
2
162
1
2
12
4
35
6
1
2
66
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
WSW
11
3
WSW
8
1.2
SSE
6
1.4
W
6
0.7
NNW
4
1.7
WNW
6
1.8
NW
6
3
W
10
0.2
E
3
1
ENE
4
1.5
N
6
1.8
NW
7
0.5
NNW
6
Energy kJ
869
1087
100
148
15
187
209
1758
1
43
176
279
18
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
3
4
1
1
1
2
2
3
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
Distance (km)
62
149
31
0
28
90
90
90
258
184
90
35
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
9
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
5
6
5
5
4
3
4
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
9
5
6
8
4
4
5
9
9
7
5
6
7
5
5
8
9
9
9
  • 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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