Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Sunday 31 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Desperation Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
16.2° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Desperation Point surf forecast from 31 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 4 Jun, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 7 Jun, 3PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, WSW swell with 4,872 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 4 Jun, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period with WNW 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 Thursday (Jun 04) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jun 07) 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 3.5m 9s period and expected on Friday (Jun 05) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 4th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Best Surf 9PM (Thu 4th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sun 7th Jun)13ft (4.0m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Mon night, light winds from the W by Tue morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 79mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Wed night, strong winds from the W by Sat afternoon).

Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Friday
5
Saturday
6
Sun
7
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
!
!
!
0
0
0
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)
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
12
0.4
WSW
12
0.5
W
10
0.9
WNW
9
1.6
W
10
1.8
WSW
9
0.8
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
12
1
WSW
11
1.5
NNW
6
0.2
WSW
15
3.5
NW
9
3
NW
9
3.5
NW
9
1
W
10
2.2
NW
9
1.5
W
11
2.1
WSW
7
3.5
WSW
9
4
WSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
42
39
57
57
119
484
493
217
609
263
144
21
1721
1336
1840
202
783
496
383
1872
4872
Wind (km/h)
30
NNE
30
NNE
25
NNE
35
NNE
15
NNW
15
W
20
WNW
15
WNW
20
NW
25
NNW
30
N
35
NNW
30
NNW
30
N
35
N
35
NNW
30
NW
35
W
35
WSW
35
SE
10
WSW
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
on
High Tide
9:53PM3.14m
10:11AM2.99m
10:27PM3.16m
10:46AM2.99m
11:01PM3.15m
11:22AM2.95m
11:38PM3.10m
12:00PM2.89m
00:17AM3.03m
12:42PM2.80m
1:00AM2.94m
1:29PM2.71m
1:47AM2.85m
2:20PM2.64m
Low Tide
4:05AM0.61m
4:21PM0.53m
4:40AM0.65m
4:56PM0.58m
5:16AM0.70m
5:32PM0.64m
5:55AM0.76m
6:10PM0.71m
6:37AM0.82m
6:51PM0.79m
7:23AM0.86m
7:37PM0.85m
8:12AM0.88m
light rain
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:37
7:37
7:37
7:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:08
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
4
2
27
1
2
7
18
17
16
12
4
3
2
5
Temp °C
17
18
18
17
15
15
14
15
15
15
17
17
17
16
15
16
15
14
13
12
13
12
14
14
12
14
12
11
12
12
10
12
11
12
11
9
10
10
7
4
5
7
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
13
3
NNW
10
0.4
WSW
12
3
NNW
10
1.8
NNW
9
1.6
W
10
1.8
WSW
9
1.3
WSW
8
1.5
WSW
12
1
WSW
11
0.5
W
8
0.2
WSW
15
0.1
SW
15
0.3
SW
13
0.3
SW
13
1
W
10
2.2
NW
9
1.8
NW
9
1.3
WNW
9
0.1
W
24
4
WSW
13
Energy kJ
42
1812
57
1736
455
484
493
217
609
263
28
21
8
28
27
202
783
516
261
11
4872
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WSW
13
0.4
SW
12
0.3
W
11
0.5
W
10
0.9
WNW
9
1.1
NNW
10
0.6
N
7
0.8
WSW
13
0.2
NNW
7
0.2
WSW
16
0.4
WSW
11
0.1
W
13
0.2
WSW
11
0.2
WSW
10
0.5
W
13
0.9
W
10
0.4
SW
12
1
NNW
9
0.1
W
24
0.1
W
26
Energy kJ
16
39
22
48
119
281
38
198
5
26
47
3
11
9
79
151
38
144
11
13
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
10
0.3
WNW
11
0.4
WSW
12
0.7
W
9
0.4
NW
8
0.4
NW
8
0.4
W
8
0.1
SW
18
0.1
N
12
0.3
W
10
0.4
SW
13
0.9
W
11
0.2
WSW
19
0.2
WSW
18
Energy kJ
2
24
57
80
23
20
18
12
3
17
41
202
35
30
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
NNW
9
0.4
NNE
3
3
NNW
10
1.2
WSW
6
0.4
NW
7
0.9
NW
4
1.5
NNW
6
2.2
NNW
7
3.5
NW
9
3
NW
9
3.5
NW
9
3
NNW
9
1.3
NW
9
1.5
W
11
2.1
WSW
7
3.5
WSW
9
3
SSE
8
Energy kJ
1597
4
1597
101
17
24
144
485
1721
1336
1840
1289
294
496
383
1872
1205
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
4
7
Distance (km)
86
86
83
86
1
35
90
62
222
64
90
90
90
83
90
90
90
184
183
37
35
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
1
4
9
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
2
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
2
4
9
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
4
5
5
5
4
5
4
5
5
5
6
5
5
9
9
8
9
9
8
  • 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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