Desperation Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 08 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
14.8° 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 8 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 4,506 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period with SSE 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 18s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 10th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 10th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 3AM (Thu 16th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed night, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (gales from the SSE on Thu morning, light winds from the ESE by Fri night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sat night, fresh winds from the NNE by Mon morning).

Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wed
15
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
1
2
4
2
4
4
4
2
3
1
0
1
0
0
2
2
3
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)
4
SSE
8
5
SSE
10
4.5
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
9
1.7
WSW
17
1.6
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
14
1.2
SW
15
1.5
WSW
16
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
15
0.9
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
14
2.2
NW
9
1.2
WNW
9
1.6
W
9
2
WNW
10
1.7
WNW
11
2.4
W
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2111
4478
3753
1983
1716
1289
933
545
623
1155
1040
892
656
352
239
695
243
459
787
619
2441
Wind (km/h)
55
SSE
65
SSE
55
SSE
50
SE
35
SE
30
SE
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
SE
10
E
10
NNE
10
NNW
15
NNE
25
N
25
NNE
30
N
15
NW
25
NW
20
NNW
15
NW
10
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
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
8:54PM3.34m
9:18AM3.23m
9:44PM3.50m
10:09AM3.33m
Low Tide
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
2:40PM0.42m
3:09AM0.38m
3:32PM0.27m
3:59AM0.26m
4:20PM0.18m
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:41
7:41
7:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:17
5:17
5:19
 mm
2
12
2
1
4
Temp °C
11
10
10
10
10
10
9
10
10
8
11
12
11
13
13
13
14
14
13
14
14
Feels °C
1
-3
-2
-2
2
2
3
6
6
4
8
9
6
7
8
7
10
10
10
12
13
  • 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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