Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 pm 07 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
14.8° 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 7 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 5,484 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 18s 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 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) 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 2.5m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Fri 10th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Best Surf 6AM (Fri 10th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 6AM (Thu 9th Jul)18ft (5.5m) 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

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the SE on Tue afternoon, gales from the SSE by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Fri afternoon, calm by Sun morning).

Tue
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
3
3
3
4
4
3
2
1
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)
1.8
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
3
SSE
8
3.5
SSE
8
4.5
SSE
10
5
SSE
10
4.5
SSE
10
4
SSE
9
1.7
WSW
17
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
16
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
15
1.2
WSW
15
0.9
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1370
752
1003
1457
3838
5140
3917
2301
1716
1155
933
545
561
1155
1040
840
568
357
246
170
116
Wind (km/h)
25
SE
30
SE
40
SSE
45
SSE
55
SSE
65
SSE
55
SSE
50
SE
40
SE
30
SE
20
ESE
15
E
15
SE
5
ENE
5
NNE
10
N
15
NNE
20
NNE
30
N
35
N
25
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
2:47AM2.88m
3:21PM2.72m
3:42AM2.82m
4:23PM2.71m
4:46AM2.79m
5:40PM2.76m
6:01AM2.82m
6:58PM2.92m
7:18AM2.93m
8:01PM3.13m
8:23AM3.09m
8:54PM3.34m
9:18AM3.23m
Low Tide
8:43PM0.84m
9:11AM0.75m
9:37PM0.90m
10:05AM0.79m
10:40PM0.93m
11:12AM0.80m
11:57PM0.89m
12:31PM0.74m
1:13AM0.75m
1:42PM0.59m
2:15AM0.56m
2:40PM0.42m
3:09AM0.38m
clear
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:41
7:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:14
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:17
5:17
 mm
3
1
2
1
13
2
Temp °C
13
12
12
12
11
10
10
9
10
10
10
10
10
9
11
11
11
12
13
14
15
Feels °C
8
7
4
3
0
-3
-2
-3
2
2
2
5
5
6
8
8
6
7
8
7
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
1.1
SW
13
1
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
11
1.9
WSW
13
2
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
17
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
16
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
15
1.2
WSW
15
0.9
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
13
Energy kJ
1370
752
406
346
556
1303
1582
921
1716
1155
933
545
561
1155
1040
840
568
357
246
170
116
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
NNW
8
0.3
NNW
7
0.2
NNW
8
0.4
SW
19
0.7
SW
17
0.9
WSW
16
0.4
WSW
21
1
WSW
19
0.2
WSW
21
0.7
WSW
18
0.8
WSW
18
0.4
SE
4
0.1
N
13
0.1
N
13
0.1
W
23
0.2
WSW
20
Energy kJ
60
11
6
95
309
463
176
742
44
273
395
4
3
3
10
38
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
21
0.2
WSW
22
0.7
SSE
5
Energy kJ
8
46
28
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSE
6
1.5
SSE
7
3
SSE
8
3.5
SSE
8
4.5
SSE
10
5
SSE
10
4.5
SSE
10
4
SSE
9
2.5
SSE
8
1.8
SSE
7
1.3
SSE
6
1.1
SSE
6
0.5
N
4
1.1
N
5
1.4
N
6
2.1
NNW
7
2.5
NNW
7
Energy kJ
47
192
1003
1457
3838
5140
3917
2301
823
330
123
74
9
65
127
395
671
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
2
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
3
3
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
Distance (km)
28
31
39
149
164
164
164
173
39
35
31
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
202
193
90
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
4
6
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
2
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
9
8
7
7
7
6
6
6
5
5
5
5
5
6
8
6
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)
Map placeholder
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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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