Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 pm 12 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
16.1° 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 12 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 13 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 16 Jun, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with 3,328 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 13 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s 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 Saturday (Jun 13) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 18s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jun 16) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jun 18) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sat 13th Jun)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Sat 13th Jun)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s
Most Powerful 6AM (Tue 16th Jun)8ft (2.5m) 15s

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 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed night).

Fri
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
2
0
0
1
2
4
3
2
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)
1.3
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
14
1
WSW
16
1.6
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
17
2.5
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
8
2
WSW
8
1.8
WSW
11
1.8
WSW
11
1.9
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
12
1.6
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
740
845
499
1245
845
672
624
414
604
537
1792
2577
1997
2245
844
498
759
773
1170
774
969
Wind (km/h)
15
S
15
SE
5
NNW
20
NW
20
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
NNW
15
W
15
W
15
W
30
W
25
WNW
10
WSW
10
SSE
5
E
10
SSE
20
SE
20
ESE
Wind State
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
7:17PM2.96m
7:31AM3.03m
8:13PM3.17m
8:31AM3.16m
9:05PM3.36m
9:26AM3.27m
9:54PM3.48m
10:18AM3.32m
10:44PM3.53m
11:09AM3.30m
11:34PM3.50m
12:01PM3.22m
00:25AM3.39m
Low Tide
1:29AM0.57m
1:55PM0.40m
2:26AM0.42m
2:50PM0.28m
3:19AM0.29m
3:42PM0.20m
4:09AM0.23m
4:32PM0.18m
5:01AM0.24m
5:21PM0.23m
5:53AM0.31m
6:11PM0.33m
6:46AM0.41m
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:41
7:41
7:41
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:06
5:06
5:06
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
 mm
2
2
1
1
4
2
2
2
Temp °C
12
12
14
14
14
15
15
14
15
15
14
12
12
13
14
13
12
12
13
11
13
Feels °C
9
8
11
11
12
12
12
10
10
10
11
8
9
7
9
11
9
10
11
8
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WSW
7
1.4
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
13
1.6
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
15
2.2
W
9
2.5
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
14
0.4
SSE
6
1.4
WSW
12
2
WSW
8
1.8
WSW
11
1.8
WSW
11
1.9
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
12
1.6
WSW
14
Energy kJ
222
845
491
1245
845
672
624
414
604
537
741
2577
1997
11
563
498
759
773
1170
774
969
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WSW
16
0.6
WSW
6
1
WSW
16
0.1
W
24
0.3
WSW
21
0.5
WSW
20
0.8
WSW
18
0.9
WSW
16
0.2
WSW
21
1.8
WSW
17
1.3
SSE
7
1
WSW
12
0.4
SW
15
0.9
WSW
14
0.5
WSW
17
0.7
WSW
16
0.1
S
17
Energy kJ
740
25
499
11
90
216
356
412
44
1792
161
294
57
286
160
215
5
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
11
0.1
S
10
0.3
SSE
4
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
9
0.1
S
10
0.1
W
22
0.3
WSW
20
0.5
WSW
18
0.2
SSE
8
0.1
S
16
Energy kJ
9
2
4
2
2
2
9
75
178
6
5
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SSE
5
0.9
W
9
1.2
WSW
6
1.4
WSW
6
1.4
WSW
6
1.5
W
6
1.6
W
6
1.8
W
7
2.2
W
8
1.3
SSE
7
2.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
8
0.9
SSE
4
1.2
SSE
6
0.6
SSE
4
0.4
SE
3
1
SE
4
Energy kJ
24
122
100
170
170
190
212
293
650
161
2245
844
26
103
12
3
38
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
2
1
1
4
4
1
2
2
3
4
4
3
3
Distance (km)
51
7
0
62
62
90
215
198
90
215
184
149
35
215
222
90
10
0
10
9
10
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
9
1
5
4
5
4
8
4
5
4
4
5
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
4
7
5
5
4
4
5
9
5
5
5
5
4
8
4
5
4
6
5
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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