Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 am 01 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
15.3° C

Slightly warmer than usual

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 1 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 5 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, NW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, WSW swell with 6,143 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 1 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Jul 01) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 04) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Wed 1st Jul)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Sun 5th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful12PM (Mon 6th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 18s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 97mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Mon afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Sun afternoon, severe gales from the SSE by Mon night).

Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
Friday
3
Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
!
2
4
!
!
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.6
WSW
12
0.5
SW
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.4
SW
13
1.1
NW
6
1.4
W
12
2
W
9
3.5
NW
10
2
NW
9
2.1
W
11
3
W
14
3
WSW
14
3
WSW
17
3
WSW
16
4
SSE
9
3.5
SSE
10
3.5
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
299
299
172
154
103
80
62
40
86
547
721
2120
664
1030
2901
2947
5516
4489
2385
2360
2399
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
10
WNW
5
NNE
10
N
15
NW
15
N
20
N
25
N
25
N
30
N
40
N
25
NW
10
WNW
10
NE
15
ENE
45
ESE
50
SE
75
SE
55
SE
45
SE
45
SSE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
10:31AM3.02m
10:46PM3.20m
11:06AM3.03m
11:21PM3.21m
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
Low Tide
4:39PM0.57m
4:59AM0.65m
5:15PM0.56m
5:37AM0.64m
5:51PM0.58m
6:16AM0.65m
6:29PM0.62m
6:57AM0.66m
7:10PM0.69m
7:39AM0.68m
7:54PM0.76m
8:23AM0.71m
8:43PM0.84m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:10
5:10
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:13
5:14
 mm
11
10
1
1
11
15
24
24
1
1
Temp °C
11
11
10
11
11
11
13
13
13
14
13
14
13
13
12
11
11
11
10
12
12
Feels °C
8
8
8
8
8
7
8
8
8
7
5
9
11
11
9
2
1
-1
-1
3
7
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.6
WSW
12
0.5
SW
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.5
W
9
1.4
W
12
2
W
9
3.5
NW
10
2
NW
9
2.1
W
11
3
W
14
3
WSW
14
3
WSW
17
3
WSW
16
2.2
WSW
15
2.1
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
14
Energy kJ
299
299
172
154
103
80
62
40
41
547
721
2120
664
1030
2901
2947
5516
4489
2177
1848
943
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
11
0.1
S
10
0.2
WSW
4
0.1
SW
4
0.2
WSW
16
0.3
WSW
10
0.4
SW
14
0.1
SW
13
0.1
W
22
0.6
WSW
19
1
W
11
0.9
WSW
16
0.7
NNW
7
1.3
WSW
20
1.6
S
8
0.7
N
7
0.4
NNW
7
Energy kJ
3
3
2
2
2
1
26
22
51
7
9
292
244
380
55
1260
375
54
16
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
10
0.1
SW
18
0.1
W
15
0.2
WSW
17
0.1
NW
13
0.9
WSW
18
0.2
WSW
24
1.6
N
8
Energy kJ
6
2
2
12
4
29
7
540
56
307
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
NNW
2
0.3
NNW
2
0.7
NNW
4
0.9
NNW
4
1.1
NW
6
1.7
N
6
2.4
NNW
7
2.3
NNW
8
1.3
NNW
8
1.4
NNW
8
2.5
SSE
8
3.5
SSE
9
4
SSE
9
3.5
SSE
10
3.5
S
10
Energy kJ
1
1
13
23
86
191
548
669
239
251
904
1915
2385
2360
2399
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
2
4
4
7
6
4
5
3
5
Distance (km)
1
28
0
0
1
7
1
193
90
90
252
90
83
0
7
28
31
111
37
124
37
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
4
7
9
4
6
5
5
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
3
2
3
3
4
2
3
4
4
5
5
9
9
5
6
4
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
9
7
5
7
5
6
6
4
5
6
9
7
9
7
5
6
7
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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