Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Thursday 01 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Desperation Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Desperation Point sea temperature is
17.8° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Desperation Point this week:

The surf forecast for Desperation Point over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 02) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 12 days are 2.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 03) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jan 03) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Fri 2nd Jan)2ft (0.6m) 13s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 2nd Jan)2ft (0.6m) 13s
Most Powerful 7PM (Sat 3rd Jan)7.5ft (2.3m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Desperation Point over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the SE by Sat morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.8
WNW
1.5
W
1
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.7
SW
1
WSW
2.1
SSE
1.9
SSE
0.9
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.7
SW
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.7
SW
0.7
SW
0.7
SW
0.7
SW
0.6
SW
0.6
WSW
Period(s) (?)8871413117711171615141413131212121211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)3532949613317224740740022721122327520631821517014714414911285
Wind
(km/h)
20
WNW
15
NW
15
WNW
15
W
15
ESE
25
SE
35
SE
30
SE
25
SE
20
SSE
10
ESE
5
NW
10
WSW
0
NNW
10
WNW
20
WNW
15
NW
15
WNW
20
WNW
15
NW
10
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
onglasscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:52PM
3.02
9:29AM
3.24
9:51PM
3.15
10:20AM
3.40
10:44PM
3.25
11:09AM
3.50
11:33PM
3.29
11:56AM
3.52
12:20AM
3.27
12:42PM
3.45
1:05AM
3.18
1:25PM
3.32
1:49AM
3.05
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:12AM
0.48
3:43PM
0.46
4:06AM
0.36
4:34PM
0.34
4:56AM
0.27
5:24PM
0.29
5:44AM
0.24
6:12PM
0.29
6:29AM
0.28
6:59PM
0.35
7:14AM
0.38
7:46PM
0.45
7:58AM
0.52
Thu
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Sunrise--6:01--6:01--6:01--6:03--6:03--6:05--6:05
Sunset8:53--8:53--8:53--8:54--8:54--8:54--8:53--
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
1--------------------
Temp. °C181618181617171516171518181618181718181618
Feels °C (?)16141615141111911131417171717151616161517
  • 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 12 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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