Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Monday 29 Dec 2025 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
17.6° 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 Tuesday (Dec 30) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 14s 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 11s period and expected on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Tue 30th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 30th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 4AM (Wed 31st Dec)10ft (3.0m) 9s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the ESE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the NE by Tue night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the SE by Sat afternoon).

Mon
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
!
1
!
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
1
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
SSE
3
SSE
3
SSE
2.4
SSE
3
SSE
1.5
SSE
0.5
WSW
0.7
WSW
1.7
NW
1.5
W
1.3
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.9
WSW
1.8
SSE
1.9
SSE
1.5
SSE
1
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.7
SW
Period(s) (?)78989816158887141311677111615
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)66113241205819123227314618835330122972133215215260356210238226223
Wind
(km/h)
45
SE
45
ESE
40
ESE
30
SE
30
ESE
20
NNE
20
N
25
N
25
NNW
20
NW
15
NW
15
WNW
20
W
5
ESE
30
SE
35
SE
30
SE
30
SE
30
SE
20
ESE
10
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:23PM
2.87
6:07AM
2.77
6:29PM
2.88
7:23AM
2.88
7:42PM
2.94
8:31AM
3.06
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
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:47PM
0.72
12:23PM
0.83
12:57AM
0.68
1:38PM
0.74
2:09AM
0.59
2:46PM
0.62
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
Mon
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Sunrise--5:58--5:58--6:00--6:01--6:01--6:01--6:03
Sunset8:53--8:53--8:53--8:53--8:53--8:53--8:54--
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
4371451-1------1-----
Temp. °C161715181819211819191718181617171617171516
Feels °C (?)988141717181616161616151613111012111114
  • 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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