Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 pm 29 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
15.4° 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 29 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 4 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, W swell with 9,213 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 30 Jun, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period with SW 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 30) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 19s. 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 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 05) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Tue 30th Jun)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s
Best Surf 6PM (Sat 4th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 3PM (Mon 6th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 17s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat night, min 10°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu night, fresh winds from the N by Sat night).

Mon
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
Friday
3
Saturday
4
Sunday
5
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
2
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
!
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)
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.2
WSW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.8
WSW
13
0.6
SW
12
0.6
WSW
12
0.5
SW
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.5
WSW
12
0.4
WSW
14
0.7
W
12
1.8
W
10
4.5
NW
10
4.5
NW
10
3
W
11
3.5
W
14
4
W
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
509
494
508
463
412
299
299
215
122
103
80
64
83
78
144
720
3761
3579
2296
5212
6335
Wind (km/h)
25
SE
25
ESE
15
ESE
10
SE
10
NNE
10
NNW
10
NW
10
N
15
NNW
15
NW
15
N
20
N
25
N
25
N
35
N
35
N
35
N
25
NW
20
WNW
5
NW
15
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
9:35PM3.10m
9:55AM2.97m
10:10PM3.16m
10:31AM3.02m
10:46PM3.20m
11:06AM3.03m
11:21PM3.21m
11:43AM3.02m
11:58PM3.19m
12:21PM2.97m
00:36AM3.13m
1:00PM2.91m
1:15AM3.05m
Low Tide
3:27PM0.64m
3:48AM0.70m
4:04PM0.60m
4:23AM0.67m
4:39PM0.57m
4:59AM0.65m
5:15PM0.56m
5:37AM0.64m
5:51PM0.58m
6:16AM0.65m
6:29PM0.62m
6:57AM0.66m
7:10PM0.69m
7:39AM0.68m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
mod rain
<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
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:09
5:09
5:10
5:10
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:13
 mm
4
33
3
2
10
Temp °C
12
10
9
10
9
11
12
11
11
11
10
12
12
13
14
14
15
14
13
11
10
Feels °C
6
4
5
8
7
8
9
9
7
7
6
7
6
8
7
8
10
10
9
8
6
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.2
WSW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.8
WSW
13
0.6
SW
12
0.6
WSW
12
0.5
SW
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.5
WSW
12
0.4
WSW
14
0.7
W
12
1.8
W
10
0.6
WSW
20
0.8
WSW
18
3
W
11
3.5
W
14
4
W
14
Energy kJ
509
494
508
463
412
299
299
215
122
103
80
64
83
78
144
720
298
352
2296
5212
6335
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WSW
18
0.1
S
19
0.2
S
19
0.1
S
19
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
11
0.2
WSW
4
0.2
WSW
4
0.4
SW
4
0.2
WSW
4
0.3
W
10
0.3
W
9
0.7
W
8
0.2
WSW
17
0.4
WSW
20
0.9
WSW
16
0.1
SW
24
1.3
NNW
8
Energy kJ
31
7
29
7
4
3
3
2
2
1
5
2
18
15
65
28
149
380
22
196
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
20
0.2
S
19
0.2
S
15
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
10
0.1
SW
18
0.2
WSW
16
0.4
SW
13
0.2
WSW
22
Energy kJ
8
27
18
5
2
2
12
25
43
46
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
SSE
6
1.3
SSE
6
0.9
SE
5
0.4
SSE
4
0.2
NNW
2
0.3
NNW
2
0.4
NNW
3
0.4
NNW
3
0.7
N
4
1.1
NNW
4
1.1
NW
5
1.9
NNW
6
3
NNW
7
4.5
NW
10
4.5
NW
10
2.3
NNW
9
1.5
NNW
8
Energy kJ
161
115
32
7
1
1
3
3
12
42
62
275
799
3761
3579
829
277
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
4
3
3
6
7
Distance (km)
31
31
9
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
46
113
193
252
205
90
90
7
28
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
6
7
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
9
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
9
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
8
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)
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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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