Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 am 23 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
15.6° 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 22 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 27 Jun, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 26 Jun, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 4,939 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 23 Jun, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s 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 23) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. 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 5.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jun 26) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Jun 25) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 23rd Jun)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Best Surf 9AM (Sat 27th Jun)13ft (4.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 6AM (Fri 26th Jun)16ft (5.0m) 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

Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Tue morning, gales from the SSE by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSE on Fri morning, moderate winds from the SE by Sat night).

Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
!
2
3
1
1
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WSW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.7
SW
13
1.2
NW
10
1.1
SW
14
3.5
SSE
9
4.5
SSE
9
5
SSE
10
4
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
9
4
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
9
2.5
SSE
8
1.3
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
479
412
431
264
180
268
456
2100
3453
4752
3256
2009
2779
2019
845
711
711
682
617
517
501
Wind (km/h)
5
NE
10
NNE
15
NE
20
ENE
25
ENE
10
E
50
SE
50
SE
60
SSE
60
SSE
55
SSE
45
SSE
45
SE
45
SE
30
SE
25
ESE
30
SE
25
ESE
20
ESE
25
SE
20
ESE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
4:32PM2.58m
5:01AM2.62m
5:42PM2.57m
6:06AM2.60m
6:47PM2.64m
7:04AM2.63m
7:38PM2.76m
7:54AM2.71m
8:21PM2.89m
8:38AM2.81m
8:59PM3.00m
9:18AM2.90m
9:35PM3.10m
Low Tide
10:18AM0.87m
10:47PM1.00m
11:21AM0.91m
11:56PM1.02m
12:25PM0.89m
1:00AM0.97m
1:21PM0.83m
1:51AM0.89m
2:08PM0.76m
2:33AM0.81m
2:49PM0.69m
3:11AM0.75m
3:27PM0.64m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
cloud
light rain
mod rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
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>
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
5:08
5:09
 mm
1
3
1
3
5
13
1
8
2
Temp °C
15
15
13
14
13
14
11
10
10
9
9
10
11
11
11
11
11
11
12
13
11
Feels °C
12
13
11
10
9
13
1
0
-3
-4
-3
1
2
2
4
5
4
4
7
8
4
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WSW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
14
1.3
N
7
1.9
N
8
1.6
N
8
1.4
NNW
9
2.4
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
12
1.9
WSW
12
1.6
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
Energy kJ
479
412
431
145
466
360
311
1847
1766
976
674
714
555
444
563
711
711
682
617
517
501
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
WNW
8
0.4
WNW
8
0.9
N
6
0.9
SW
14
0.7
SW
13
1.2
NW
10
1.1
SW
14
0.6
NNW
8
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
15
0.2
WSW
18
0.3
WSW
16
Energy kJ
59
21
53
264
180
268
456
51
6
6
6
4
32
53
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
15
0.3
WNW
7
0.2
WNW
7
0.1
S
11
0.7
SW
14
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
9
0.1
S
17
Energy kJ
6
4
11
5
2
194
6
2
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
N
5
0.2
ENE
3
0.5
E
4
0.9
ENE
4
0.4
SE
5
1.8
SSE
6
3.5
SSE
9
4.5
SSE
9
5
SSE
10
4
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
9
4
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
9
2.5
SSE
8
1.7
SSE
7
1.4
SSE
6
1.5
SSE
6
1.3
SE
5
1.1
SSE
5
1.3
SSE
6
Energy kJ
34
1
6
29
6
190
2100
3453
4752
3256
2009
2779
2019
845
281
144
149
80
64
111
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
4
3
3
2
2
2
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
Distance (km)
0
0
0
0
0
0
111
148
149
164
149
149
149
39
35
31
31
31
31
31
31
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
1
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
5
4
4
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
7
9
8
6
5
5
5
6
5
5
5
5
5
8
9
7
7
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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