
Surf Forecasts:
Desperation Point surf forecast from 22 Jun 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 27 Jun, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 26 Jun, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 4,939 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 23 Jun, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Tuesday (Jun 23) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. 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 5.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jun 26) at 6AM. 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 9s period and expected on Thursday (Jun 25) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Tue 23rd Jun) | 4ft (1.2m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sat 27th Jun) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (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 ForecastHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Tue morning, gales from the SSE by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSE on Fri morning, moderate winds from the SE by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 23 | Wednesday 24 | Thursday 25 | Friday 26 | Saturday 27 | Sunday 28 | Monday 29 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | NW 10 | SW 14 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
479 | 412 | 431 | 264 | 180 | 268 | 456 | 2100 | 3453 | 4752 | 3256 | 2009 | 2779 | 2019 | 845 | 711 | 711 | 682 | 617 | 517 | 501 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:18AM0.87m | 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 | ||||||||
7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | |
— | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 13 | — | 1 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 1 | 0 | -3 | -4 | -3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 9 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
479 | 412 | 431 | 145 | 466 | 360 | 311 | 1847 | 1766 | 976 | 674 | 714 | 555 | 444 | 563 | 711 | 711 | 682 | 617 | 517 | 501 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | N 6 | SW 14 | SW 13 | NW 10 | SW 14 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 17 | S 18 | S 18 | S 15 | — | WSW 18 | WSW 16 |
59 | 21 | 53 | 264 | 180 | 268 | 456 | 51 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | — | 32 | 53 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 15 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | S 11 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | — | — | S 9 | S 17 |
6 | 4 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 194 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 5 | ENE 3 | E 4 | ENE 4 | SE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 |
— | 34 | 1 | 6 | 29 | 6 | 190 | 2100 | 3453 | 4752 | 3256 | 2009 | 2779 | 2019 | 845 | 281 | 144 | 149 | 80 | 64 | 111 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 111 | 148 | 149 | 164 | 149 | 149 | 149 | 39 | 35 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
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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.









