Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 am 06 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
14.9° C

Slightly warmer than usual

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 5 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 5,584 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s 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 Monday (Jul 06) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 2.1m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 5.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 9s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Mon 6th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 16s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 6th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 16s
Most Powerful12PM (Thu 9th Jul)18ft (5.5m) 10s

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 28mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Mon night, gales from the SSE by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (gales from the SSE on Thu afternoon, light winds from the E by Sat night).

Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
4
5
3
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
2
2
4
3
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)
2.5
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
14
1.4
SW
14
2.5
S
7
2.5
SSE
7
4
SSE
8
5
SSE
10
5
SSE
10
4
SSE
9
1.6
WSW
17
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.4
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2362
3369
3001
2034
1370
799
753
778
2054
4256
5500
2352
1543
1155
933
561
476
969
933
851
711
Wind (km/h)
45
ESE
30
ESE
10
ENE
15
ESE
20
SE
20
SE
35
SSE
40
S
55
SE
65
SSE
65
SSE
50
SE
40
SE
35
SE
35
SE
30
SE
30
SE
15
E
10
E
15
SE
10
E
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
1:43PM2.84m
1:59AM2.97m
2:30PM2.77m
2:47AM2.88m
3:21PM2.72m
3:42AM2.82m
4:23PM2.71m
4:46AM2.79m
5:40PM2.76m
6:01AM2.82m
6:58PM2.92m
7:18AM2.93m
8:01PM3.13m
Low Tide
7:54PM0.76m
8:23AM0.71m
8:43PM0.84m
9:11AM0.75m
9:37PM0.90m
10:05AM0.79m
10:40PM0.93m
11:12AM0.80m
11:57PM0.89m
12:31PM0.74m
1:13AM0.75m
1:42PM0.59m
2:15AM0.56m
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:13
5:14
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:16
 mm
11
1
6
10
1
3
1
Temp °C
11
13
10
12
12
12
12
12
12
11
11
11
10
10
10
10
10
9
9
10
8
Feels °C
4
7
7
8
8
8
5
5
1
-2
-2
0
1
2
3
3
3
4
5
6
5
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.2
WSW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.4
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
17
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.4
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
15
Energy kJ
2362
3369
3001
2034
1370
799
472
382
491
957
1191
921
1543
1155
933
561
476
969
933
851
711
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
N
8
2.4
SSE
9
1.7
NNW
8
1.1
NNW
8
0.7
NNW
8
0.3
NNW
7
0.2
NNW
8
0.4
SW
19
0.8
WSW
17
0.2
WSW
22
0.4
WSW
21
1
WSW
19
0.1
SW
22
0.5
WSW
20
0.8
WSW
18
1
SSE
6
0.7
SSE
5
Energy kJ
135
898
432
167
58
11
6
95
386
47
150
679
18
216
356
74
27
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
N
8
1.4
SSE
8
0.1
S
9
0.1
W
21
Energy kJ
245
264
2
8
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SSE
7
3
SSE
9
0.7
SSE
5
1
SSE
5
1.6
SSE
8
2.5
S
7
2.5
SSE
7
4
SSE
8
5
SSE
10
5
SSE
10
4
SSE
9
3
SSE
9
2.3
SSE
8
1.9
SSE
7
2.2
SSE
7
1.6
SSE
7
1.3
SSE
6
0.5
SSE
5
Energy kJ
501
1615
26
48
276
753
778
2054
4256
5500
2352
1312
688
348
433
214
115
12
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
5
4
4
4
4
3
2
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
Distance (km)
198
260
0
7
28
31
35
47
111
148
148
164
38
35
31
31
31
0
0
10
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
6
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
4
6
5
5
4
4
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
4
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
9
5
5
6
5
8
5
5
8
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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