Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Wednesday 04 Feb 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
19.1° 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 Thursday (Feb 05) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 17s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s is also forecast. 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 2.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Feb 04) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Feb 05) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 5th Feb)5.5ft (1.7m) 11s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 5th Feb)5.5ft (1.7m) 11s
Most Powerful 1PM (Wed 4th Feb)6.5ft (2.0m) 11s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Wed morning, light winds from the SW by Thu afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.2
W
2
WSW
1.7
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.9
WSW
2.4
WSW
2.4
WSW
1.2
WSW
1.7
WSW
1.7
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.6
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.3
WSW
1
WSW
1.1
WSW
1
WSW
Period(s) (?)121111111111788111112121313121212121111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1310966711495427404376670644335698895582601538739589483280313247
Wind
(km/h)
30
SE
30
SE
15
ESE
10
SE
10
SW
15
WNW
25
W
25
W
20
W
20
W
20
WNW
20
NW
25
WNW
25
WNW
20
WNW
10
SW
15
WSW
10
NW
15
W
15
W
10
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:18PM
3.45
12:38AM
3.24
12:56PM
3.34
1:15AM
3.13
1:31PM
3.18
1:53AM
2.99
2:07PM
3.00
2:31AM
2.84
2:47PM
2.80
3:13AM
2.68
3:33PM
2.62
4:05AM
2.54
4:33PM
2.46
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:34PM
0.27
6:48AM
0.31
7:14PM
0.34
7:26AM
0.45
7:52PM
0.46
8:05AM
0.62
8:30PM
0.60
8:46AM
0.81
9:09PM
0.77
9:32AM
0.99
9:54PM
0.94
10:26AM
1.15
10:50PM
1.08
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Sunrise6:37--6:37--6:39--6:39--6:41--6:43--6:43--
Sunset-8:37--8:37--8:36--8:35--8:34--8:32--8:31-
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C171715181816171718191918191917181918191917
Feels °C (?)111212161715131317171717161616171817181817
  • 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 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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