Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 11 am 21 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
15.8° 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 21 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 25 Jun, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 25 Jun, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with 4,105 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 22 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period with W 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 Monday (Jun 22) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jun 25) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 24) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Mon 22nd Jun)6ft (1.9m) 10s
Best Surf 3PM (Thu 25th Jun)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 6PM (Thu 25th Jun)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Mainly strong winds.

Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
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
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
0
!
4
4
3
3
3
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
W
11
2.5
W
10
2.1
W
10
0.8
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.1
SW
14
0.9
WSW
13
0.9
SW
13
0.9
SW
14
3
WSW
9
3.5
WSW
12
2.5
WSW
12
2.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
12
2.1
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
13
2
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2023
1308
815
264
530
538
479
479
431
313
257
276
1302
3493
2177
2359
2171
1398
1134
1182
830
Wind (km/h)
20
W
20
WNW
10
SW
15
ESE
15
SE
5
NE
10
NE
10
NNE
10
ENE
20
ENE
25
ENE
10
ENE
40
W
10
NNW
5
NNW
5
NNE
15
NW
10
SSE
15
SSE
5
E
20
SE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
2:38PM2.79m
3:03AM2.86m
3:33PM2.66m
4:00AM2.71m
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
Low Tide
8:48PM0.79m
9:22AM0.78m
9:45PM0.92m
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
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:43
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
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
 mm
1
3
2
7
1
6
4
5
2
Temp °C
15
15
13
13
13
13
14
14
13
14
14
14
11
12
10
12
11
12
13
12
11
Feels °C
13
12
8
10
10
11
12
12
12
10
10
11
3
9
8
10
8
6
10
11
6
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
W
11
2.5
W
10
2.1
W
10
1.2
WNW
9
1.2
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.1
SW
14
0.9
WSW
13
1.7
N
8
1.3
N
8
0.6
N
7
3.5
WSW
12
2.5
WSW
12
2.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
12
2.1
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
13
2
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
12
Energy kJ
2023
1308
815
248
530
538
479
479
431
313
337
193
33
3493
2177
2359
2171
1398
1134
1182
830
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WSW
17
0.5
SW
13
0.8
WSW
11
0.8
WSW
9
0.9
WNW
9
0.7
WNW
9
0.8
NW
8
0.4
WNW
8
0.3
WNW
7
0.2
WNW
7
0.9
SW
13
0.9
SW
14
0.6
NW
8
1.6
WSW
14
1.6
SSE
10
0.9
SSE
8
0.9
SSE
11
0.1
S
19
Energy kJ
119
88
154
96
143
77
80
21
11
5
257
276
41
902
502
85
214
7
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WSW
16
0.6
WSW
16
0.8
WSW
14
0.6
S
5
0.3
SSE
4
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
11
0.1
S
11
0.1
S
10
0.6
NW
8
0.5
S
11
Energy kJ
105
162
264
18
3
6
4
3
2
2
2
53
64
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSE
6
0.7
SE
5
0.5
N
4
0.8
N
5
0.6
N
4
1.2
N
6
0.4
E
4
0.4
ESE
4
3
WSW
9
1.3
SSE
6
3
SSE
8
1.7
SSE
8
1.3
SSE
10
0.7
SSE
11
0.7
SSE
10
1.7
SSE
8
Energy kJ
52
22
6
27
13
106
5
5
1302
119
939
398
307
128
110
370
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
Distance (km)
184
184
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
64
7
1
0
1
10
31
0
28
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
1
5
7
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
4
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
7
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
7
7
7
5
6
6
5
6
8
8
6
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
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)
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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