Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 5 am 02 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
15.1° 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 1 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 4 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 5,192 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. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 04) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 2nd Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 13s
Best Surf 9PM (Sat 4th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 6th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 16s

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 16mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. 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 Summary

Heavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, near gales from the SE by Mon night).

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
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
!
3
3
4
!
!
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
12
0.6
WSW
12
0.5
SW
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
14
1.4
W
12
1.8
W
11
3
WNW
10
2.4
WNW
10
1.6
W
11
2.5
WNW
11
3
W
13
3.5
WSW
15
3
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
15
2.1
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
13
1.2
SW
13
2.3
SSE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
154
103
80
63
46
51
555
762
1930
1057
595
1658
3338
5155
4376
2634
1848
1126
772
471
604
Wind (km/h)
10
N
15
NW
15
N
20
N
25
N
25
N
30
NNE
40
N
25
NNW
15
NNW
15
NE
25
ENE
15
N
30
SSE
55
SSE
55
SSE
45
SE
50
SE
35
SE
30
SSE
25
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:43
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:10
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:13
5:14
5:14
 mm
8
8
2
2
18
1
3
12
1
2
Temp °C
11
11
10
12
13
12
12
13
13
13
14
12
12
11
10
10
10
10
11
11
12
Feels °C
9
8
7
7
8
8
5
5
8
10
11
7
10
5
-1
0
0
0
4
5
6
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
12
0.6
WSW
12
0.5
SW
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.9
WNW
6
1.4
W
12
1.8
W
11
0.5
WSW
19
2.4
WNW
10
1.6
W
11
1.3
WSW
14
3
W
13
3.5
WSW
15
3
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
15
2.1
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
Energy kJ
154
103
80
63
46
51
555
762
210
1057
595
687
3338
5155
4376
2634
1848
1126
772
471
353
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
10
0.2
WSW
16
0.3
WSW
11
0.4
W
9
0.2
WSW
13
0.1
W
22
0.9
WSW
18
0.8
WSW
16
1
WSW
15
0.9
WSW
18
0.7
S
6
0.3
S
10
0.3
SSE
10
0.3
SSE
10
0.2
NNW
6
0.4
SSE
9
0.2
WSW
18
0.7
WSW
17
Energy kJ
2
2
26
23
27
16
9
443
302
456
485
35
17
19
19
4
28
34
261
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
10
0.1
SW
18
0.4
SW
14
0.2
WSW
17
0.7
WSW
16
0.4
NW
6
0.2
NNW
6
0.1
NW
6
0.1
N
6
0.1
W
24
Energy kJ
2
12
51
29
232
10
4
1
1
11
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
N
3
0.9
NNW
4
0.7
N
4
1.3
N
5
2.4
N
7
3
WNW
10
1.8
NW
9
2.5
WNW
11
0.3
SE
10
0.5
SSE
3
0.9
SSE
10
0.8
SSE
9
1.7
SSE
6
2.3
SSE
8
Energy kJ
8
22
14
90
541
1930
492
1658
15
6
173
110
179
604
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
2
4
4
4
5
7
6
3
5
2
4
3
4
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
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
4
5
7
8
5
5
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
3
3
4
4
3
2
4
4
5
5
7
9
5
5
3
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
7
5
7
7
5
5
4
7
5
9
7
5
7
9
9
6
8
9
7
7
  • 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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