Desperation Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.47° S 173.86° E

Desperation Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 11 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
14.8° C
0.7° 

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 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, W swell with 4,774 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s 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 (Jul 11) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 17s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 3PM. 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sat 11th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 16s
Best Surf 9AM (Wed 15th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 3PM (Wed 15th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Mon afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
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)
2
3
4
4
3
3
1
0
0
1
1
2
!
!
2
0
0
0
4
4
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
15
1.6
SW
16
1.5
WSW
16
1.5
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
15
1
WSW
14
0.9
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
14
1.6
WNW
9
1.7
NW
8
1.9
W
12
3
W
16
3
W
15
2.5
WSW
14
2.3
WSW
14
2.3
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
14
1.8
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
545
711
1239
1112
949
752
413
323
125
355
352
1048
4279
4774
2911
2228
2114
1496
1226
1058
1093
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
15
SE
10
E
10
E
0
NW
15
NNE
20
N
30
N
30
N
15
NW
20
NW
25
NNW
20
NNW
25
NW
25
NNW
25
WSW
30
W
25
WSW
15
ESE
0
N
25
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
on
on
on
cross-off
glassy
on
High Tide
6:58PM2.92m
7:18AM2.93m
8:01PM3.13m
8:23AM3.09m
8:54PM3.34m
9:18AM3.23m
9:44PM3.50m
10:09AM3.33m
10:33PM3.58m
10:57AM3.35m
11:20PM3.56m
11:43AM3.30m
00:05AM3.46m
Low Tide
12:31PM0.74m
1:13AM0.75m
1:42PM0.59m
2:15AM0.56m
2:40PM0.42m
3:09AM0.38m
3:32PM0.27m
3:59AM0.26m
4:20PM0.18m
4:48AM0.20m
5:07PM0.17m
5:36AM0.22m
5:53PM0.24m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
light rain
clear
clear
rain showers
cloud
cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:43
7:43
7:41
7:41
7:41
7:41
7:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:16
5:17
5:17
5:19
5:20
5:21
 mm
7
1
3
3
3
1
Temp °C
11
10
8
10
10
10
12
13
13
14
14
14
15
15
13
13
13
13
10
11
12
Feels °C
7
5
4
8
8
6
6
7
6
11
10
10
10
10
9
7
6
7
7
10
10
  • 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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