Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Sunday 22 Mar 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
17.9° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Mar 22) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 13s period. 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Mar 28) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 11s period and expected on Friday (Mar 27) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sun 22nd Mar)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s
Best Surf 1PM (Fri 27th Mar)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sat 28th Mar)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Wed afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the NNW by Fri morning).

Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Sat
28
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
3
3
2
3
3
0
2
1
1
2
3
0
0
0
!
!
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
SW
1.3
WSW
1.2
SW
1.2
WSW
1.1
SW
1.3
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.2
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.7
SW
0.7
SW
0.7
SW
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.6
WSW
3
NW
3.5
W
3
W
2.5
W
Period(s) (?)131413141314141413131212121514131311131211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)4716075095013946217216174512771471441353722531161131923379425521625
Wind
(km/h)
10
SE
5
SSE
10
SW
10
E
5
ESE
5
SW
5
ENE
10
N
15
WNW
10
ENE
5
NNE
10
E
25
E
25
NE
30
NE
25
N
30
N
30
NNW
25
NNW
25
WNW
20
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
glasscross-
off
cross-
on
offglassoffoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:24AM
3.39
12:40PM
3.38
1:06AM
3.30
1:24PM
3.21
1:52AM
3.14
2:16PM
2.99
2:48AM
2.93
3:22PM
2.77
4:03AM
2.75
4:47PM
2.62
5:35AM
2.69
6:10PM
2.61
6:55AM
2.77
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:37AM
0.18
7:01PM
0.19
7:23AM
0.35
7:46PM
0.39
8:14AM
0.58
8:37PM
0.63
9:15AM
0.81
9:38PM
0.87
10:28AM
0.98
10:58PM
1.02
11:52AM
1.02
12:27AM
1.00
1:12PM
0.90
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Sat
28
Sunrise-7:28--7:28--7:30--7:31--7:31--7:33--7:33-
Sunset--7:34--7:31--7:30--7:29--7:28--7:25--7:23
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-----------2181133-2-1-
Temp. °C141717161817181817182017171919192020181817
Feels °C (?)121616151716181716181916151515161616151615
  • 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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