Desperation Point Surf Break

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Issued: 11 pm 13 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
16.1° 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 13 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 18 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 16 Jun, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, W swell with 4,173 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 17 Jun, 9PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Jun 17) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jun 16) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jun 18) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Wed 17th Jun)7ft (2.1m) 8s
Best Surf 3AM (Thu 18th Jun)7.5ft (2.3m) 10s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 16th Jun)8ft (2.5m) 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

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue night, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Sat
20
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
2
1
0
1
3
3
3
3
4
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)
1.4
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
15
2.5
W
17
2.2
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
14
2
WSW
13
2.4
WSW
12
2.1
W
7
2.3
W
9
2.3
WSW
11
2.2
WSW
12
1.9
WSW
12
1.9
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
7
2
WSW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
845
765
624
414
604
537
4173
2082
1902
1306
1659
461
823
1325
1426
1027
1357
908
451
293
372
Wind (km/h)
20
NW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
NW
25
NW
25
NW
25
NNW
15
N
10
W
20
WNW
25
WNW
20
NNW
5
ENE
20
ESE
20
SE
25
SE
15
NE
10
NW
25
W
30
WNW
30
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
8:31AM3.16m
9:05PM3.36m
9:26AM3.27m
9:54PM3.48m
10:18AM3.32m
10:44PM3.53m
11:09AM3.30m
11:34PM3.50m
12:01PM3.22m
00:25AM3.39m
12:53PM3.09m
1:17AM3.22m
1:46PM2.94m
Low Tide
2:26AM0.42m
2:50PM0.28m
3:19AM0.29m
3:42PM0.20m
4:09AM0.23m
4:32PM0.18m
5:01AM0.24m
5:21PM0.23m
5:53AM0.31m
6:11PM0.33m
6:46AM0.41m
7:02PM0.47m
7:39AM0.54m
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:41
7:41
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:06
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
 mm
2
1
1
3
1
Temp °C
14
15
15
14
15
15
14
14
14
13
13
13
12
12
12
12
13
13
14
14
14
Feels °C
12
12
12
10
10
10
10
11
12
7
7
8
9
7
8
7
11
10
10
8
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
15
2.5
W
17
2.2
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
14
2
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
12
0.9
WSW
12
2.3
W
9
2.3
WSW
11
2.2
WSW
12
1.9
WSW
12
1.9
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.8
WSW
12
Energy kJ
845
765
624
414
604
537
4173
2082
1902
1306
359
247
823
1325
1426
1027
1357
908
451
286
184
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WSW
21
0.5
WSW
20
0.8
WSW
18
0.9
WSW
16
0.4
SSE
5
0.1
S
15
0.1
W
22
0.3
SW
16
1.3
SSE
7
0.7
S
6
0.9
WSW
15
0.1
S
18
0.4
SSE
4
0.2
S
17
0.2
WSW
21
0.3
WSW
20
Energy kJ
90
216
356
412
9
4
9
38
141
32
326
6
6
24
44
75
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WSW
22
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
9
0.1
W
22
0.2
WSW
20
0.4
WSW
18
0.3
WSW
16
0.1
S
16
0.2
S
18
0.3
S
19
0.1
S
8
0.2
S
14
0.1
S
12
Energy kJ
45
2
2
9
38
106
51
5
25
66
1
15
3
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
6
1.4
W
6
1.4
W
6
1.5
W
6
1.5
W
6
1.8
W
7
1.6
SSE
7
1.2
SSE
7
2.4
WSW
12
2.1
W
7
0.7
E
4
1.5
SSE
6
0.5
SE
3
0.5
SSE
5
1
WSW
8
1.7
WSW
7
2
WSW
7
Energy kJ
50
151
151
154
176
306
261
131
1659
461
12
181
4
12
140
293
372
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
2
2
1
3
4
2
3
2
3
3
4
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
Distance (km)
53
90
215
90
90
215
64
7
90
62
266
90
0
28
35
31
0
1
90
215
215
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
2
5
4
4
4
2
3
8
4
4
9
4
3
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
4
5
4
5
4
8
4
8
9
9
9
6
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)
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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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