Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 pm 15 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
16.0° C

1.1°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 15 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 16 Jun, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 16 Jun, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 4,084 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 16 Jun, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s 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 16) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.9m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jun 16) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jun 16) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Tue 16th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 16th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 16th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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 16mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Tue night, light winds from the E by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat night, min 12°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, strong winds from the NW by Sat night).

Mon
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
2
3
0
0
0
3
2
0
1
3
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
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
WSW
15
3
WSW
16
2.2
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
14
2.1
WSW
13
3
WSW
8
2
WSW
8
1.7
WSW
9
1.7
WSW
11
2
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
11
1.6
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
SW
12
2.4
WNW
7
3
W
10
2.4
W
10
2
W
10
1.5
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
537
4084
2053
1902
1487
1123
477
417
711
1189
392
591
837
679
281
149
590
1730
1152
755
365
Wind (km/h)
30
NW
20
W
25
SE
25
SE
20
WNW
35
W
20
WSW
15
ESE
5
W
20
W
25
S
5
SE
10
W
25
NW
25
NNW
30
NNW
35
NNW
25
NW
25
W
25
W
15
SE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross
glassy
on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
9:54PM3.48m
10:18AM3.32m
10:44PM3.53m
11:09AM3.30m
11:34PM3.50m
12:01PM3.22m
00:25AM3.39m
12:53PM3.09m
1:17AM3.22m
1:46PM2.94m
2:09AM3.04m
2:38PM2.79m
3:03AM2.86m
Low Tide
3:42PM0.20m
4:09AM0.23m
4:32PM0.18m
5:01AM0.24m
5:21PM0.23m
5:53AM0.31m
6:11PM0.33m
6:46AM0.41m
7:02PM0.47m
7:39AM0.54m
7:54PM0.64m
8:30AM0.66m
8:48PM0.79m
9:22AM0.78m
part cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
clear
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
 mm
11
2
3
2
8
2
1
Temp °C
15
14
12
11
13
14
14
12
13
13
13
13
13
13
14
14
15
15
15
14
14
Feels °C
9
9
7
6
7
7
10
9
9
8
9
12
10
9
9
9
9
11
11
10
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
WSW
15
3
WSW
16
2.2
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
14
2.1
WSW
13
0.1
S
15
2
WSW
8
1.7
WSW
9
1.7
WSW
11
0.5
WSW
17
1.7
WSW
8
1.5
WSW
11
1.6
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
6
0.4
SW
18
3
W
10
2.4
W
10
2
W
10
1.5
W
9
Energy kJ
537
4084
2053
1902
1487
4
477
417
711
164
392
591
837
679
281
56
82
1730
1152
755
365
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
S
6
1
WSW
12
0.9
SSE
6
0.8
WSW
14
0.2
SSE
8
1.2
WSW
12
0.9
WSW
14
0.4
S
4
0.1
S
16
0.9
WSW
6
0.7
SW
12
0.1
S
10
0.4
WSW
17
0.5
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SW
14
Energy kJ
22
294
54
236
6
378
325
6
5
55
149
2
117
127
248
214
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
22
0.7
SW
11
0.5
S
5
0.2
SSE
7
0.8
WSW
16
0.8
S
6
0.2
S
18
0.1
W
22
0.2
WSW
21
0.2
WSW
20
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
20
Energy kJ
9
128
13
5
273
39
26
9
42
37
2
7
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
WNW
7
1.9
W
8
1.9
SSE
7
1.5
SSE
7
3
WSW
8
1.2
SSE
6
2
WSW
12
0.9
SSE
5
0.6
WNW
4
0.8
NW
4
1.1
NW
4
2.4
WNW
7
Energy kJ
322
466
387
192
1123
96
1189
35
11
19
44
590
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
4
4
4
4
1
2
3
4
4
4
3
3
1
1
1
4
1
1
1
3
Distance (km)
256
64
31
31
62
209
149
0
28
148
35
0
62
90
90
90
263
184
222
183
28
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
4
3
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
2
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
4
9
6
7
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
6
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
9
6
7
5
4
7
4
7
4
9
6
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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