Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Sunday 31 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Desperation Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
16.3° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Desperation Point surf forecast from 31 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 5 Jun, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, NW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 6 Jun, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, W swell with 2,273 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 2 Jun, 6AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s 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 (Jun 02) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. 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 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jun 06) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 10s period and expected on Monday (Jun 01) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Tue 2nd Jun)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Best Surf12AM (Fri 5th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 6th Jun)8ft (2.5m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 65mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Sun night, light winds from the NE by Mon night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 51mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Thu night, light winds from the NW by Fri night).

Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Friday
5
Saturday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
!
!
1
1
2
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
12
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
12
0.4
WSW
12
0.5
W
10
0.7
WNW
8
0.9
NW
8
1.9
W
9
1.8
WSW
7
0.9
WSW
12
1.2
W
11
1.5
NW
6
2.1
NW
7
3
NW
10
3
NW
10
2.5
NW
9
1.5
W
10
1.2
W
14
2.5
W
12
2.3
W
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
74
39
42
39
57
56
54
93
537
319
258
358
154
452
1679
1449
1024
441
537
2273
1420
Wind (km/h)
25
NNE
35
NNE
40
NNE
25
NNE
30
NNE
35
N
15
NNW
15
W
20
WNW
20
WNW
20
NW
20
N
30
N
35
N
30
NNW
35
NNW
30
NNW
15
N
10
WNW
20
NW
10
NNW
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
9:35AM2.97m
9:53PM3.14m
10:11AM2.99m
10:27PM3.16m
10:46AM2.99m
11:01PM3.15m
11:22AM2.95m
11:38PM3.10m
12:00PM2.89m
00:17AM3.03m
12:42PM2.80m
1:00AM2.94m
1:29PM2.71m
1:47AM2.85m
Low Tide
3:45PM0.51m
4:05AM0.61m
4:21PM0.53m
4:40AM0.65m
4:56PM0.58m
5:16AM0.70m
5:32PM0.64m
5:55AM0.76m
6:10PM0.71m
6:37AM0.82m
6:51PM0.79m
7:23AM0.86m
7:37PM0.85m
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
heavy rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
mod rain
mod rain
heavy rain
thunderstorm
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:37
7:37
7:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:08
5:08
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
3
9
2
2
47
1
1
1
22
6
6
16
1
2
Temp °C
16
16
17
17
18
18
15
15
14
15
15
15
16
16
16
17
16
15
15
15
14
11
10
13
14
14
13
14
13
11
12
12
11
10
11
12
12
11
12
12
12
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
12
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
12
0.4
WSW
12
0.4
WSW
12
2.1
NNW
9
1.2
NNW
8
0.5
N
7
0.8
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
12
1.2
W
11
0.6
WSW
10
0.2
WSW
15
0.2
WSW
15
0.3
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
1.5
W
10
1.4
WNW
10
2.5
W
12
2.3
W
12
Energy kJ
74
39
42
39
57
56
645
187
24
198
258
358
85
21
21
28
44
441
378
2273
1420
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
10
0.2
WSW
12
0.2
WSW
13
0.3
WSW
12
0.4
WNW
11
0.5
W
10
0.7
WNW
8
0.6
W
9
0.4
NNW
9
0.3
NNW
7
0.2
NNW
7
0.2
WSW
16
0.1
SW
16
0.1
SW
15
0.1
SW
14
0.1
N
11
0.1
N
11
1.4
NNW
9
1.2
W
14
1
NNW
8
Energy kJ
2
15
16
29
43
48
54
60
26
9
5
26
10
8
8
2
2
311
537
110
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
10
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
10
0.3
W
11
0.4
SW
12
0.5
W
9
0.4
WSW
11
0.3
WSW
15
0.1
NW
13
0.1
SW
18
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
0.1
SW
10
0.4
SW
13
0.8
NW
9
0.2
WSW
18
Energy kJ
8
2
2
22
36
39
48
42
7
12
3
3
4
40
112
33
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
NNW
8
2.5
N
8
3
NNW
9
3
NNW
10
3.5
NNW
10
3.5
NNW
10
0.9
NW
8
1.9
W
9
1.8
WSW
7
1.2
W
7
0.4
NW
7
1.5
NW
6
2.1
NW
7
3
NW
10
3
NW
10
2.5
NW
9
0.8
N
7
1.2
N
8
0.8
N
7
Energy kJ
695
1068
1535
1923
1998
2084
93
537
319
131
11
154
452
1679
1449
1024
69
163
62
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
4
1
4
Distance (km)
9
86
155
1
12
86
1
90
184
222
222
12
90
193
90
90
90
1
28
184
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
3
2
2
2
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
3
2
2
4
2
3
3
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
6
5
5
4
4
5
5
6
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
9
6
6
9
  • 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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