Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 pm 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 6 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 5,762 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 3AM (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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 16s period. 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 5.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Tue 7th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 16s
Best Surf 3AM (Wed 8th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 6PM (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

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Mon night, gales from the SSE by Thu morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (gales from the SSE on Thu afternoon, calm by Sun morning).

Mon
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
3
1
1
3
3
3
3
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)
2.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
14
2.5
S
8
2.4
S
8
1.2
WSW
13
3.5
SSE
9
5
SSE
10
5
SSE
10
4.5
SSE
10
1.7
WSW
17
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.4
WSW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.4
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
15
1
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3369
3001
2034
1370
822
653
456
2024
4939
5243
3367
1716
1155
933
561
476
957
993
840
706
431
Wind (km/h)
30
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
20
SE
20
SE
35
S
25
S
55
SSE
65
SSE
60
SSE
55
SSE
40
SE
35
SE
25
SE
30
SE
25
SE
15
E
10
E
5
NW
10
NNE
15
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
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
8:23AM3.09m
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
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<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
7:41
<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
5:17
 mm
1
1
4
1
4
3
1
Temp °C
13
10
12
13
12
12
13
12
11
11
10
9
9
10
11
10
8
10
11
11
12
Feels °C
6
6
7
9
9
5
8
2
-2
-1
-3
-1
1
2
4
4
4
8
9
8
7
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
11
2.1
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
17
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.4
WSW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.4
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
15
1
WSW
14
Energy kJ
3369
3001
2034
1370
752
517
444
815
2172
1724
921
1716
1155
933
561
476
957
993
840
706
431
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SSE
9
1.5
S
8
1.1
NNW
8
0.7
NNW
8
0.3
NNW
8
0.2
NNW
8
0.4
SW
19
0.7
WSW
17
0.2
WSW
22
0.4
WSW
21
1
WSW
19
0.1
W
22
0.4
WSW
20
0.8
WSW
18
0.7
SSE
5
0.4
SE
4
0.1
N
13
Energy kJ
1094
301
171
60
11
6
95
267
46
176
679
9
149
356
19
4
3
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
NNW
8
1.5
N
8
0.2
S
9
0.1
W
20
0.1
N
8
0.1
W
21
0.3
WSW
20
Energy kJ
212
301
6
8
1
9
75
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
SSE
9
1
SSE
6
1
SSE
5
2.5
S
8
2.4
S
8
2.1
SSE
7
3.5
SSE
9
5
SSE
10
5
SSE
10
4.5
SSE
10
3
SSE
9
2.3
SSE
8
1.8
SSE
7
1.7
SSE
6
1
SSE
6
0.7
N
4
Energy kJ
2085
71
49
822
653
456
2024
4939
5243
3367
1484
637
298
235
77
13
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
4
4
4
1
3
4
5
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
Distance (km)
148
7
0
31
31
111
47
148
148
164
164
35
31
28
31
31
7
0
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
4
4
4
4
3
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
6
7
4
5
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
8
7
5
6
5
8
5
5
5
5
5
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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