Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Monday 23 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
18.6° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 (Feb 24) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 02) 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 1.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Feb 25) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Tue 24th Feb)2.5ft (0.8m) 11s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 2nd Mar)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 1PM (Mon 2nd Mar)10ft (3.0m) 8s

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. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat night).

Mon
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
01
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
0
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
3
1
1
3
2
3
3
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.7
WSW
1.6
WSW
1.7
WSW
0.9
SW
0.9
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.9
WSW
1.7
WSW
1.7
WSW
1.5
WSW
1.6
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.5
WSW
1.1
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.2
WSW
0.9
SW
3
SSE
Period(s) (?)1312711111816161414141313131213131312128
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)928722247189190246417136111148868896066796793836596495383902051155
Wind
(km/h)
15
S
15
WNW
20
NW
10
W
20
ESE
0
WNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
20
NW
20
NW
10
NW
5
W
25
SE
25
ESE
10
SE
15
SSE
10
SE
5
WNW
10
SW
20
SE
45
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
glasscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
on
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
glassoncross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:00AM
2.92
3:26PM
2.85
4:06AM
2.76
4:43PM
2.68
5:38AM
2.68
6:15PM
2.64
7:08AM
2.77
7:35PM
2.73
8:15AM
2.95
8:39PM
2.88
9:08AM
3.14
9:32PM
3.05
9:55AM
3.29
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:52PM
0.61
9:24AM
0.81
9:48PM
0.83
10:31AM
0.98
11:01PM
0.99
11:57AM
1.06
12:36AM
1.01
1:24PM
0.96
1:55AM
0.86
2:30PM
0.75
2:55AM
0.64
3:22PM
0.54
3:44AM
0.43
Mon
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
01
Sunrise--7:00--7:01--7:01--7:03--7:05--7:05--7:07
Sunset8:15--8:14--8:12--8:10--8:09--8:07--8:07--
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
clear
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
---------2-3----22---
Temp. °C171518181720211819181717151417171616161615
Feels °C (?)1413161816201916161616181191616151715144
  • 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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