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Surf Forecasts:
Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand
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 1.0°C warmer than normal for this time of year)Desperation Point surf forecast from 2 Jun 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 5 Jun, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 8 Jun, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, WSW swell with 6,227 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 5 Jun, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s 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 Friday (Jun 05) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jun 08) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Jun 06) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Fri 5th Jun) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 5th Jun) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Mon 8th Jun) | 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 ForecastHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Wed night, fresh winds from the N by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the WSW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 2 | Wednesday 3 | Thursday 4 | Friday 5 | Saturday 6 | Sunday 7 | Monday 8 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | NW 7 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | |
49 | 212 | 372 | 392 | 308 | 447 | 158 | 397 | 993 | 1366 | 1585 | 322 | 473 | 349 | 227 | 382 | 3182 | 3558 | 2689 | 6227 | 4409 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | |
High Tide | 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 | 2:20PM2.64m | 2:38AM2.78m | 3:12PM2.60m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:12AM0.88m | 8:28PM0.91m | 9:02AM0.86m | 9:22PM0.92m | ||||||||
7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | |
5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 17 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
14 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 11 | |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 10 | WSW 8 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NW 9 | — | WSW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 |
41 | 350 | 128 | 392 | 308 | 447 | 158 | 42 | 21 | 28 | 44 | 322 | 473 | 318 | 422 | 332 | — | 3558 | 2689 | 6227 | 4409 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | W 9 | NW 8 | WSW 13 | WSW 7 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | NW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | S 5 | — | WSW 22 | WSW 19 | SSE 10 | SE 6 |
49 | 212 | 20 | 101 | 70 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 8 | 11 | 17 | 40 | 183 | 349 | 205 | 19 | — | 181 | 1196 | 386 | 47 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 15 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | N 12 | N 12 | — | — | — | — | WSW 12 | SW 12 | W 12 | W 11 | SW 11 | — | WSW 21 | — | — | SSE 9 |
33 | 50 | 42 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 23 | 141 | 227 | 60 | — | 153 | — | — | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 9 | — | W 9 | WSW 7 | WSW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 5 | NW 7 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | — | — | W 11 | WSW 10 | — | SSE 6 | — | SSE 6 |
1151 | — | 372 | 255 | 74 | 19 | 50 | 397 | 993 | 1366 | 1585 | 793 | 270 | — | — | 382 | 3182 | — | 109 | — | 40 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 83 | 148 | 35 | 222 | 31 | 90 | 184 | 193 | 90 | 90 | 64 | 0 | 1 | 31 | 9 | 191 | 109 | 62 | 7 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











