Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Monday 06 Apr 2026 NZST
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
18.3° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

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 Tuesday (Apr 07) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 13) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Apr 08) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Tue 7th Apr)2.5ft (0.8m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 7th Apr)2.5ft (0.8m) 13s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 13th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon night, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
1
1
0
0
2
1
0
1
2
0
2
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.7
SW
0.6
WSW
0.4
SW
0.7
SW
0.7
SW
0.7
SW
0.7
SW
1.1
W
0.8
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.9
WSW
1.1
WSW
1
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.9
WSW
1.1
WSW
1.3
WSW
3.5
WSW
Period(s) (?)1313121215141413139141414131010131212129
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)47221214994662061861751621942682393473892101451162373284381643
Wind
(km/h)
15
SE
10
NE
15
NE
20
E
15
NE
10
W
15
WNW
10
N
10
NNW
15
WNW
5
WNW
5
SW
15
SSE
15
ESE
0
NW
10
SW
15
SE
20
SE
20
SE
40
S
30
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
offoffoffoffcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
glasscrosscross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:18AM
2.97
12:35PM
2.79
12:57AM
2.82
1:19PM
2.61
1:45AM
2.65
2:18PM
2.45
2:49AM
2.51
3:32PM
2.36
4:07AM
2.45
4:45PM
2.36
5:19AM
2.51
5:51PM
2.44
6:18AM
2.65
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:16PM
0.57
6:36AM
0.78
6:53PM
0.75
7:19AM
0.95
7:36PM
0.92
8:11AM
1.10
8:29PM
1.07
9:15AM
1.18
9:39PM
1.15
10:29AM
1.17
10:57PM
1.11
11:43AM
1.04
12:06AM
0.95
Mon
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Sunrise--6:43--6:45--6:46--6:47--6:48--6:48--6:50
Sunset6:08--6:07--6:06--6:05--6:02--6:01--6:00--
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
Rain (mm)
---1151----------4-6471
Temp. °C181918171817181518181718171619191720181817
Feels °C (?)161716141517161416161718151419191618171212
  • 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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