
Surf Forecasts:
Desperation Point surf forecast from 2 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 5 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, NW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with 6,693 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 2 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 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 Thursday (Jul 02) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 2s 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 5.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 04) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 2nd Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 5th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Desperation Point over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Thu morning, strong winds from the N by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sun morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 2 | Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | W 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WSW 11 | W 14 | SSE 9 | WSW 15 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
154 | 103 | 80 | 63 | 46 | 53 | 229 | 878 | 1403 | 940 | 731 | 1710 | 2689 | 3115 | 6693 | 3307 | 2280 | 1449 | 822 | 1657 | 3837 | |
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-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 3:21PM2.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:11AM0.75m | 9:37PM0.90m | ||||||||
7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | |
— | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 4 |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | -2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WSW 11 | W 14 | SSE 10 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | SSE 10 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 |
154 | 103 | 80 | 63 | 46 | 53 | 106 | 878 | 1403 | 940 | 731 | 1710 | 1899 | 3115 | 3158 | 2349 | 1129 | 1449 | 822 | 423 | 292 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | — | WSW 16 | WSW 11 | W 9 | W 12 | W 22 | WSW 19 | N 7 | NW 9 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 7 | — | WSW 13 | — | WSW 18 | WSW 17 |
2 | 2 | — | 26 | 23 | 27 | 229 | 9 | 210 | 83 | 396 | 483 | 1725 | 688 | 161 | 9 | — | 427 | — | 31 | 258 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 10 | SW 18 | — | — | SW 14 | SW 13 | — | — | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | N 7 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — |
— | 2 | 12 | — | — | 51 | 44 | — | — | 443 | 302 | 150 | 324 | — | — | — | — | 73 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 2 | N 2 | N 3 | NNW 4 | N 4 | N 5 | N 6 | NNW 8 | — | — | E 4 | SSE 9 | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | WSW 14 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 |
— | 1 | 1 | 8 | 23 | 14 | 59 | 402 | 541 | — | — | 47 | 2689 | 1446 | 6693 | 3307 | 2280 | 265 | 426 | 1657 | 3837 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 46 | 1 | 86 | 90 | 90 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 28 | 37 | 111 | 148 | 113 | 39 | 35 | 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.









