Desperation Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
14.5° C
0.6° 

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 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 25ft (7.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 23ft (7.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 18,540 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 25ft (7.5m), 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 7.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 7.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Sat 25th Jul)25ft (7.5m) 13s
Best Surf12PM (Sat 25th Jul)25ft (7.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 25th Jul)23ft (7.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat morning, light winds from the SSW by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
!
!
2
4
1
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
2.2
NW
7
3
NW
8
2.5
NW
8
6
WSW
10
7
WSW
14
4.5
WSW
14
3
WSW
14
2.3
WSW
14
2.4
WSW
14
2.4
WSW
13
2.2
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
11
1.2
WSW
11
1.2
WSW
11
1.2
WSW
11
1.5
WSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
902
922
423
427
1089
976
6856
18540
7758
3163
2085
2039
1844
1438
872
559
387
313
302
334
722
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
20
NW
25
NNW
35
NNW
40
NNW
30
NW
50
WSW
45
WSW
15
W
25
ESE
25
SE
10
SE
15
WSW
15
SSW
5
E
5
WSW
15
SE
10
ESE
10
ESE
10
SE
5
NE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
4:49PM2.49m
5:20AM2.47m
6:10PM2.53m
6:31AM2.50m
7:10PM2.64m
7:29AM2.60m
7:58PM2.78m
8:17AM2.73m
8:39PM2.93m
8:59AM2.86m
9:16PM3.06m
9:37AM2.98m
9:51PM3.18m
Low Tide
10:23AM1.02m
11:07PM1.17m
11:39AM1.07m
00:26AM1.15m
12:50PM1.02m
1:26AM1.05m
1:45PM0.92m
2:12AM0.93m
2:30PM0.79m
2:52AM0.80m
3:09PM0.66m
3:28AM0.68m
3:45PM0.55m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
mod rain
thunderstorm
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:33
7:33
7:31
7:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:24
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
 mm
10
8
10
2
1
1
Temp °C
13
13
13
13
14
12
11
11
11
9
9
9
11
10
9
12
12
10
11
11
10
Feels °C
9
9
6
6
7
7
0
1
5
2
2
5
6
6
6
10
8
7
8
8
7
  • 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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