Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 am 11 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
16.2° C

1.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year

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 10 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 16 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 16 Jun, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, WSW swell with 5,163 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 13 Jun, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s 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 Saturday (Jun 13) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jun 16) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jun 18) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sat 13th Jun)4.5ft (1.4m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 16th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 16th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Desperation Point over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Thu night, light winds from the NE by Sat morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Tue afternoon). Mainly fresh winds.

Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
0
0
1
3
3
3
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
0
0
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
14
1
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
16
1
WSW
15
3
WSW
17
2.5
WSW
15
2.3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
8
2.3
WSW
8
2.3
WSW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
814
615
975
630
740
845
499
978
845
754
624
414
688
474
5163
2824
2122
2345
996
623
606
Wind (km/h)
10
N
10
WNW
25
W
30
WSW
20
SSE
15
SE
5
NE
15
NW
15
NNW
15
NW
20
WNW
20
NW
25
NW
30
NW
25
WSW
15
SE
10
SSE
30
W
30
WSW
10
SW
10
E
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross
on
on
on
cross-off
High Tide
6:12PM2.78m
6:27AM2.91m
7:17PM2.96m
7:31AM3.03m
8:13PM3.17m
8:31AM3.16m
9:05PM3.36m
9:26AM3.27m
9:54PM3.48m
10:18AM3.32m
10:44PM3.53m
11:09AM3.30m
11:34PM3.50m
Low Tide
11:52AM0.65m
00:25AM0.73m
12:56PM0.53m
1:29AM0.57m
1:55PM0.40m
2:26AM0.42m
2:50PM0.28m
3:19AM0.29m
3:42PM0.20m
4:09AM0.23m
4:32PM0.18m
5:01AM0.24m
5:21PM0.23m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:41
7:41
7:41
7:41
7:41
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:06
5:06
5:06
5:06
5:06
5:07
 mm
1
3
2
3
2
Temp °C
12
13
13
14
12
12
13
13
14
15
15
14
15
15
14
12
12
13
14
14
11
Feels °C
10
11
8
8
8
7
10
10
12
12
12
11
11
10
10
9
9
8
8
12
9
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
7
1.4
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
16
1
WSW
15
3
WSW
17
2.5
WSW
15
2.3
WSW
14
0.3
SSE
5
1.2
WSW
12
0.9
WSW
12
0.6
WSW
11
Energy kJ
814
615
975
630
198
845
491
978
845
754
624
414
688
474
5163
2824
2122
5
384
247
82
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
WSW
18
0.9
WSW
16
0.3
SSE
12
0.3
WSW
18
1.3
WSW
16
0.6
WSW
6
1
WSW
16
0.8
WSW
9
1
W
8
0.5
WSW
20
0.8
WSW
18
0.9
WSW
16
0.4
SW
21
0.3
WSW
11
1.3
SSE
6
0.9
WSW
12
0.1
S
14
0.4
SW
14
Energy kJ
273
427
28
62
740
25
499
106
122
216
356
412
117
24
123
226
4
71
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
SSE
10
0.2
SSE
10
0.2
WSW
20
0.2
SSE
11
0.2
S
11
0.1
S
10
0.4
SSE
4
0.1
W
24
0.3
WSW
21
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
9
0.3
NNW
6
0.1
S
7
0.1
S
19
0.1
S
18
Energy kJ
9
9
38
11
9
2
6
11
90
2
2
6
1
7
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
WSW
6
2.1
WSW
7
0.8
SSE
5
1.1
W
7
1.3
WSW
6
1
W
6
1.2
W
5
1.9
W
7
1.9
W
8
0.9
SSE
6
1.4
S
6
2.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
8
2.3
WSW
8
2.3
WSW
8
Energy kJ
213
431
28
107
134
59
70
312
464
66
166
2345
996
623
606
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
4
4
1
1
2
1
1
1
4
4
1
3
3
3
Distance (km)
0
35
62
62
62
0
0
1
11
90
252
90
90
252
184
0
10
215
62
9
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
5
5
5
4
7
8
8
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
8
5
7
6
6
8
7
5
5
5
5
5
9
5
5
5
5
5
7
8
8
  • 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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