Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Friday 10 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
18.5° 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 Saturday (Apr 11) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s 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 16 days are 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Apr 15) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 18) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Sat 11th Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s
Best Surf 3PM (Tue 14th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 9AM (Wed 15th Apr)16ft (5.0m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 57mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat night, min 15°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon night, min 14°C on Tue afternoon). Mainly strong winds.

Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Fri
17
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
WSW
1
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.8
WSW
2.4
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.6
WSW
1.9
WSW
2.5
WSW
3
W
3.5
W
5
W
4.5
W
4
W
3.5
WSW
3.5
WSW
3
WSW
2.5
WSW
1.6
WSW
Period(s) (?)1211109121271111131413121112111010111111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)4672341517510116750244763410862815321735146411543836482864291021361452603
Wind
(km/h)
20
SE
15
SE
15
SSE
10
SE
25
SE
35
SSE
35
WNW
30
NNW
35
NNW
30
NW
25
NW
35
NW
35
WNW
40
W
40
W
45
WNW
30
WSW
30
W
25
WNW
20
NNW
30
NNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
crosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:07AM
2.45
4:45PM
2.36
5:19AM
2.51
5:51PM
2.44
6:18AM
2.65
6:49PM
2.60
7:07AM
2.83
7:38PM
2.80
7:50AM
3.03
8:22PM
3.01
8:32AM
3.21
9:02PM
3.21
9:14AM
3.35
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:39PM
1.15
10:29AM
1.17
10:57PM
1.11
11:43AM
1.04
12:06AM
0.95
12:42PM
0.81
1:01AM
0.74
1:29PM
0.56
1:47AM
0.51
2:10PM
0.32
2:29AM
0.30
2:51PM
0.13
3:11AM
0.14
3:31PM
0.01
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Fri
17
Sunrise-6:48--6:48--6:50--6:50--6:52--6:52--6:54-
Sunset--6:01--6:00--5:59--5:57--5:55--5:54--5:52
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
Rain (mm)
---823161366-311223221-4
Temp. °C161718191818181918171717151616161716151818
Feels °C (?)13151618141314151313111078991010111413
  • 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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