Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 pm 19 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
15.9° 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 19 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 21 Jun, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, W swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 26 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with 2,975 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 21 Jun, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period with W 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 Sunday (Jun 21) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. Another secondary swell of 3.0m and 10s is also forecast. 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 4.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jun 26) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 24) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Sun 21st Jun)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Best Surf 6AM (Sun 21st Jun)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 3AM (Fri 26th Jun)13ft (4.0m) 9s

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 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Sat night, calm by Mon morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Mon afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Wed night).

Fri
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
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
1
0
0
0
!
1
2
3
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
!
2
4
!
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)
1.7
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
SW
12
3
WNW
7
3
W
11
2.4
W
10
2
W
10
1.3
WNW
9
0.9
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
14
0.9
WSW
14
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
3.5
WNW
10
2.1
W
9
1.7
WSW
14
4
SSE
9
2.3
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
936
722
286
149
829
1985
1160
755
283
293
463
412
418
342
186
144
2038
710
1130
2410
1523
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
25
NW
30
NNW
30
NW
40
NW
20
WNW
20
WNW
15
WNW
5
ENE
15
SE
10
NNW
10
NNE
5
NE
20
NE
20
ENE
20
NE
30
N
20
NNW
10
SE
45
SE
55
SE
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
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
6:06AM2.60m
6:47PM2.64m
7:04AM2.63m
Low Tide
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
12:25PM0.89m
1:00AM0.97m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:43
7:43
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
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
 mm
6
2
2
1
6
1
Temp °C
13
14
16
16
16
15
15
14
14
14
13
15
15
14
14
15
14
15
15
13
9
Feels °C
10
9
11
11
9
13
13
12
12
11
11
13
14
12
11
12
9
13
14
8
-3
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.4
SW
18
3
W
11
2.4
W
10
0.7
SW
11
1.3
WNW
9
1.2
W
9
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
14
0.9
WSW
14
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
2.1
W
9
2.1
W
9
2.5
WSW
13
2.3
WSW
12
Energy kJ
936
722
286
149
82
1985
1160
119
283
225
463
412
418
342
186
144
253
710
640
2390
1523
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSE
4
0.1
W
22
0.2
WSW
21
0.2
WSW
20
0.1
S
10
0.4
WSW
17
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
16
0.9
WSW
7
0.9
SW
14
0.8
WNW
8
0.6
WNW
8
0.5
WNW
8
0.3
WNW
7
0.1
S
12
0.2
S
11
0.1
SW
18
0.9
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
14
Energy kJ
4
9
42
37
2
119
138
196
81
293
80
51
35
11
3
9
13
419
1130
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
18
0.1
W
22
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
11
0.4
WSW
16
0.8
WSW
14
0.1
S
15
0.5
SSE
5
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
13
0.2
S
12
0.2
S
11
0.1
S
20
0.5
WSW
16
Energy kJ
6
9
3
2
105
264
4
13
6
6
3
11
9
8
153
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
NW
4
1.4
NW
5
1.6
WNW
5
3
WNW
7
2.2
W
10
2
W
10
0.9
SSE
5
0.9
SSE
6
0.5
N
4
0.6
N
4
1.3
N
6
2.1
N
8
3
NNW
8
3.5
WNW
10
1
NNW
7
4
SSE
9
3
SSE
8
Energy kJ
11
91
143
829
970
755
48
58
7
13
132
496
1435
2038
114
2410
1318
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
3
4
4
5
4
Distance (km)
90
64
90
90
252
183
191
90
0
10
1
0
0
1
0
0
86
9
0
35
148
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
4
5
5
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
6
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
4
4
5
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
4
4
5
8
9
5
6
7
6
6
5
5
5
5
8
6
7
5
7
5
  • 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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