
Surf Forecasts:
Desperation Point surf forecast from 28 Jun 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 5 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, W swell with 8,428 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 30 Jun, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period with SW 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 (Jun 30) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 19s. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 05) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Tue 30th Jun) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 5th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Desperation Point over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Sun afternoon, light winds from the NE by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 28 | Monday 29 | Tuesday 30 | Wednesday 1 | Thursday 2 | Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 14 | W 12 | W 11 | NW 10 | NW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
893 | 846 | 607 | 509 | 494 | 508 | 463 | 352 | 299 | 299 | 215 | 154 | 103 | 80 | 113 | 85 | 79 | 278 | 319 | 2806 | 1521 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 8:59PM3.00m | 9:18AM2.90m | 9:35PM3.10m | 9:55AM2.97m | 10:10PM3.16m | 10:31AM3.02m | 10:46PM3.20m | 11:06AM3.03m | 11:21PM3.21m | 11:43AM3.02m | 11:58PM3.19m | 12:21PM2.97m | 00:36AM3.13m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:11AM0.75m | 3:27PM0.64m | 3:48AM0.70m | 4:04PM0.60m | 4:23AM0.67m | 4:39PM0.57m | 4:59AM0.65m | 5:15PM0.56m | 5:37AM0.64m | 5:51PM0.58m | 6:16AM0.65m | 6:29PM0.62m | 6:57AM0.66m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | |
5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | 5:13 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 2 |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
Feels °C | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 14 | W 12 | W 11 | WSW 20 | WSW 18 |
893 | 846 | 607 | 509 | 494 | 508 | 463 | 352 | 299 | 299 | 215 | 154 | 103 | 80 | 113 | 85 | 79 | 278 | 319 | 131 | 360 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | — | — | WSW 18 | S 19 | S 19 | S 19 | SSE 4 | S 12 | S 12 | SE 11 | S 10 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 5 | W 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
125 | — | — | 31 | 7 | 29 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 44 | 42 | 66 | 54 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 20 | S 19 | — | — | S 15 | — | — | S 16 | S 10 | S 10 | W 18 | SW 17 | — | — | W 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 12 |
— | — | — | 8 | 27 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 5 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 11 | — | — | 7 | 30 | 25 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SE 4 | — | — | — | N 3 | N 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NW 4 | N 5 | N 7 | NW 10 | NW 9 |
444 | 273 | 160 | 137 | 136 | 44 | 19 | 4 | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 31 | 86 | 469 | 2806 | 1521 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 31 | 31 | 46 | 148 | 148 | 86 | 90 | 193 | 90 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










