Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 pm 26 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
15.5° 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 26 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 27 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 27 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 2,657 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 27 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period with SSE 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 Saturday (Jun 27) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 12s. 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 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jun 27) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jun 30) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sat 27th Jun)13ft (4.0m) 10s
Best Surf 3AM (Sat 27th Jun)13ft (4.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sat 27th Jun)13ft (4.0m) 10s

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 15mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSE on Fri afternoon, moderate winds from the SE by Sun afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
!
!
!
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4
SSE
10
4.5
SSE
10
3
SSE
9
3
SSE
9
3
SSE
8
2.1
SSE
7
1.4
SW
15
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.6
WSW
13
0.6
WSW
13
0.6
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2863
4010
1586
1550
1048
468
893
785
607
509
494
431
463
352
299
299
175
154
108
118
101
Wind (km/h)
50
SSE
50
SSE
40
SE
45
SSE
40
SE
35
SE
30
SE
25
ESE
30
SE
25
SE
20
ESE
20
ESE
10
SE
5
NE
10
NNW
10
NW
10
N
15
NNW
15
NW
5
WNW
15
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
7:38PM2.76m
7:54AM2.71m
8:21PM2.89m
8:38AM2.81m
8:59PM3.00m
9:18AM2.90m
9:35PM3.10m
9:55AM2.97m
10:10PM3.16m
10:31AM3.02m
10:46PM3.20m
11:06AM3.03m
11:21PM3.21m
11:43AM3.02m
Low Tide
1:51AM0.89m
2:08PM0.76m
2:33AM0.81m
2:49PM0.69m
3:11AM0.75m
3:27PM0.64m
3:48AM0.70m
4:04PM0.60m
4:23AM0.67m
4:39PM0.57m
4:59AM0.65m
5:15PM0.56m
5:37AM0.64m
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:08
5:08
5:08
5:09
5:09
5:10
5:10
5:12
 mm
11
4
Temp °C
10
11
12
12
12
12
12
11
12
12
10
9
10
9
11
11
11
12
12
12
12
Feels °C
0
1
4
4
4
6
7
5
6
6
4
4
7
7
8
8
9
9
9
11
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
12
1.4
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1
WSW
10
1.4
SW
15
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.6
WSW
13
0.6
WSW
13
0.6
WSW
12
Energy kJ
1197
714
620
620
546
225
893
785
607
509
494
431
463
352
299
299
175
154
108
118
101
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
15
0.1
S
16
0.2
WSW
18
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
19
0.2
SSE
4
0.1
S
9
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
9
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
10
0.1
W
18
0.1
SW
17
Energy kJ
318
5
31
7
6
7
1
1
3
1
2
2
6
11
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
18
0.2
S
18
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
11
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
8
0.1
S
8
Energy kJ
7
27
5
3
3
2
2
1
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4
SSE
10
4.5
SSE
10
3
SSE
9
3
SSE
9
3
SSE
8
2.1
SSE
7
1.8
SSE
7
1.8
SSE
7
1.6
SSE
7
1.7
SSE
7
1.5
SSE
7
1
SSE
6
0.6
SSE
5
0.3
NW
2
0.2
N
3
0.4
N
3
0.5
N
3
0.6
NNW
4
0.7
NW
4
Energy kJ
2863
4010
1586
1550
1048
468
303
306
230
257
206
65
18
1
1
2
6
8
17
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
149
40
39
39
35
31
31
31
31
31
31
28
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
28
28
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
3
2
2
2
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
6
5
5
6
4
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
5
6
9
7
6
5
7
7
7
7
5
5
5
5
5
4
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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