Desperation Point Surf Break
Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Weather Forecast for Desperation Point

Issued: 11 am 05 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
16.3° 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 5 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 5 Jun, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 9 Jun, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 3,837 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 5 Jun, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period with NW 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 (Jun 05) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jun 09) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Friday (Jun 05) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Fri 5th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Best Surf 6PM (Fri 5th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 3PM (Tue 9th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 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

Heavy rain (total 64mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Fri morning, light winds from the SSW by Sun afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Mon night, calm by Tue night).

Friday
5
Saturday
6
Sunday
7
Monday
8
Tuesday
9
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
!
0
0
0
!
2
0
0
0
0
3
!
!
0
0
4
3
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
NW
9
0.3
SW
13
3
NW
9
1.5
W
9
1.9
NW
10
3
WSW
8
3
WSW
9
2.2
WSW
9
2.1
WSW
9
1.9
WSW
17
2.1
WSW
16
3.5
WSW
9
1.9
WSW
16
3
WSW
16
3
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
15
1.6
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1656
27
1542
397
612
1173
1178
875
675
2171
2461
1973
1766
3837
3623
1611
1409
1042
1127
1064
1788
Wind (km/h)
35
NNW
40
NNW
35
NNW
20
NW
25
NW
35
WSW
25
SSE
10
SSW
25
W
30
W
35
W
30
SW
20
ESE
10
S
15
WNW
25
W
30
W
5
SE
5
WNW
25
W
20
W
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
on
cross
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-on
High Tide
12:42PM2.80m
1:00AM2.94m
1:29PM2.71m
1:47AM2.85m
2:20PM2.64m
2:38AM2.78m
3:12PM2.60m
3:32AM2.75m
4:07PM2.60m
4:27AM2.76m
5:06PM2.66m
5:25AM2.82m
6:12PM2.78m
Low Tide
6:51PM0.79m
7:23AM0.86m
7:37PM0.85m
8:12AM0.88m
8:28PM0.91m
9:02AM0.86m
9:22PM0.92m
9:54AM0.82m
10:19PM0.90m
10:51AM0.75m
11:20PM0.84m
11:52AM0.65m
00:25AM0.73m
heavy rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:37
7:37
7:37
7:39
7:39
7:39
7:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:06
 mm
43
8
7
2
3
1
Temp °C
16
17
16
15
15
14
13
12
14
14
14
14
12
13
12
12
12
12
14
14
13
Feels °C
10
11
11
12
11
7
7
9
8
9
8
8
9
11
11
7
6
10
10
10
9
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SW
13
0.3
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
2.2
NW
10
1.9
NW
10
1.6
NW
10
1.1
NW
9
2.2
WSW
9
0.9
WSW
20
1.9
WSW
17
2.1
WSW
16
1.8
WSW
16
2.3
WSW
9
3
WSW
16
3
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
15
1.6
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
16
Energy kJ
28
27
42
863
612
428
217
875
550
2171
2461
1671
821
3837
3623
1611
1409
1042
1127
1064
1788
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WSW
10
0.2
WSW
10
1.5
W
9
1.4
W
10
0.2
WSW
18
0.1
W
24
0.8
NW
9
0.7
NW
9
0.5
NW
9
1.5
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
16
0.2
S
20
0.2
S
20
0.1
S
19
1.6
WSW
8
1.2
WSW
7
0.5
WSW
18
0.8
WSW
18
0.2
SSE
10
Energy kJ
11
10
397
371
31
11
117
83
38
1094
1766
31
32
7
303
148
184
395
10
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WSW
13
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
12
0.1
W
24
0.1
SW
23
0.4
SSE
5
0.2
S
20
0.3
SSE
20
0.2
S
19
0.2
SSE
14
0.2
SSE
13
0.2
S
12
0.2
S
11
Energy kJ
18
37
37
11
21
10
30
82
28
19
16
11
9
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
NW
9
3.5
NNW
9
3
NW
9
3
WSW
8
3
WSW
9
1.2
SSE
6
2.1
WSW
9
2.5
WSW
8
2.5
WSW
8
3.5
WSW
9
2
WSW
8
Energy kJ
1656
2162
1542
1173
1178
84
675
749
731
1973
487
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
3
2
4
4
3
1
1
2
9
4
4
4
2
2
2
3
4
Distance (km)
90
252
90
90
151
90
62
7
62
215
215
155
37
0
62
62
90
215
215
149
53
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
9
9
5
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
3
3
2
9
9
5
4
5
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
9
9
8
9
6
8
7
8
7
6
8
9
8
5
5
5
8
4
5
  • 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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