
Surf Forecasts:
Desperation Point surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 5 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, W swell with 6,766 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period with NW 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 Sunday (Jul 05) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 04) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 5th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 5th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Mon 6th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Desperation Point over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the N on Sat night, light winds from the E by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Tue night, near gales from the SSE by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | W 12 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | S 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
63 | 41 | 51 | 229 | 778 | 2923 | 1057 | 775 | 1704 | 3501 | 5289 | 4855 | 2563 | 1700 | 1222 | 1894 | 3110 | 2138 | 1003 | 811 | 679 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:43AM3.02m | 11:58PM3.19m | 12:21PM2.97m | 00:36AM3.13m | 1:00PM2.91m | 1:15AM3.05m | 1:43PM2.84m | 1:59AM2.97m | 2:30PM2.77m | 2:47AM2.88m | 3:21PM2.72m | 3:42AM2.82m | 4:23PM2.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:51PM0.58m | 6:16AM0.65m | 6:29PM0.62m | 6:57AM0.66m | 7:10PM0.69m | 7:39AM0.68m | 7:54PM0.76m | 8:23AM0.71m | 8:43PM0.84m | 9:11AM0.75m | 9:37PM0.90m | 10:05AM0.79m | 10:40PM0.93m | ||||||||
7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | |
— | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 6 | 1 | 19 | 16 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 4 | -1 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | WSW 18 | W 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SSE 8 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 |
63 | 41 | 42 | 105 | 778 | 2923 | 352 | 214 | 1704 | 3501 | 159 | 4855 | 2563 | 1700 | 1222 | 408 | 538 | 220 | 788 | 811 | 545 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | W 10 | W 9 | W 12 | WSW 17 | WSW 19 | W 11 | WSW 16 | WNW 11 | — | — | S 7 | N 6 | NNW 6 | — | — | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 21 | WSW 21 | WSW 19 |
26 | 19 | 27 | 229 | 28 | 210 | 62 | 376 | 972 | — | — | 131 | 26 | 7 | — | — | 33 | 264 | 89 | 176 | 679 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 14 | SW 13 | W 22 | — | — | SW 13 | W 12 | — | — | — | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | SW 7 | — | — | — |
— | — | 51 | 44 | 9 | — | — | 84 | 74 | — | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | 25 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | N 4 | N 5 | N 7 | N 9 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | — | SSE 6 | WSW 14 | N 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 |
9 | 22 | 14 | 90 | 413 | 1051 | 1057 | 775 | — | 176 | 5289 | 97 | 103 | 363 | 763 | 1894 | 3110 | 2138 | 1003 | 785 | 456 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 12 | 46 | 1 | 86 | 90 | 48 | 64 | 90 | 10 | 31 | 64 | 7 | 10 | 31 | 31 | 37 | 148 | 164 | 148 | 39 | 35 |
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.










