Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 11 am 13 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
16.1° C

1.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year

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 13 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 16 Jun, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, W swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 16 Jun, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, W swell with 3,675 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 16 Jun, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period with W 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 16) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jun 16) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jun 16) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Tue 16th Jun)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Best Surf12PM (Tue 16th Jun)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 16th Jun)8ft (2.5m) 17s

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 10mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat night, min 12°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue night, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
3
2
0
1
3
4
3
3
3
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
WSW
16
1.6
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
15
2.5
W
17
2.5
W
14
2.2
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
13
2.3
WSW
8
1.9
W
7
1.7
W
8
2.4
WSW
12
2.3
WSW
12
2
WSW
12
2
WSW
12
1.9
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
499
1245
845
765
624
414
604
537
3675
2980
1997
1649
620
378
392
1622
1523
1077
1006
1245
908
Wind (km/h)
5
NNW
15
NW
20
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
NW
25
NW
25
NW
30
NNW
10
S
10
SSE
20
NNW
20
WNW
20
NNW
10
NE
10
E
20
SE
15
SE
20
ESE
20
SSE
15
NW
Wind State
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
8:13PM3.17m
8:31AM3.16m
9:05PM3.36m
9:26AM3.27m
9:54PM3.48m
10:18AM3.32m
10:44PM3.53m
11:09AM3.30m
11:34PM3.50m
12:01PM3.22m
00:25AM3.39m
12:53PM3.09m
1:17AM3.22m
Low Tide
1:55PM0.40m
2:26AM0.42m
2:50PM0.28m
3:19AM0.29m
3:42PM0.20m
4:09AM0.23m
4:32PM0.18m
5:01AM0.24m
5:21PM0.23m
5:53AM0.31m
6:11PM0.33m
6:46AM0.41m
7:02PM0.47m
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:41
7:41
7:41
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:06
5:06
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
 mm
3
2
1
1
3
9
Temp °C
13
14
15
15
15
15
15
15
14
12
12
13
13
13
11
13
12
12
11
12
13
Feels °C
10
11
12
12
12
10
9
10
9
11
10
7
8
8
8
10
8
8
7
8
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WSW
13
1.6
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
15
2.5
W
17
2.5
W
14
2.2
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.9
W
7
1.7
W
8
2.4
WSW
12
2.3
WSW
12
2
WSW
12
2
WSW
12
1.9
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
13
Energy kJ
491
1245
845
765
624
414
604
537
3675
2980
1997
1649
451
378
392
1622
1523
1077
1006
1245
908
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
WSW
16
0.1
W
24
0.3
WSW
21
0.5
WSW
20
0.8
WSW
18
0.9
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
17
1
NNW
5
0.7
NNW
6
0.5
S
6
0.1
S
15
0.9
WSW
12
1.1
WSW
11
1
SSE
6
0.5
S
5
0.9
WSW
15
1
WSW
14
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
17
Energy kJ
499
11
90
216
356
412
1148
62
37
16
4
247
286
88
14
326
384
6
6
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSE
4
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
9
0.5
S
6
0.1
W
22
0.8
SSE
7
0.4
WSW
18
0.2
N
5
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
17
0.1
W
24
Energy kJ
4
2
2
19
9
60
124
2
5
6
11
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
W
9
1.1
W
6
1.3
W
6
1.5
W
6
1.6
W
6
1.7
W
6
1.7
W
6
1.3
NNW
5
2
WSW
13
2.3
WSW
8
1.6
SSE
7
0.4
SSE
4
Energy kJ
120
80
126
182
196
214
247
86
1299
620
244
6
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
5
4
1
1
2
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
Distance (km)
0
11
90
215
215
257
90
215
64
31
10
90
215
90
0
0
31
7
31
31
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
2
5
5
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
3
9
1
5
5
5
4
3
5
9
6
4
7
5
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
4
4
4
5
9
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
9
6
8
8
5
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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