Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Tuesday 07 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
18.4° 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 Thursday (Apr 09) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 14) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Apr 08) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 9th Apr)2.5ft (0.7m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 14th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 3AM (Tue 14th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue night, min 15°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 48mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sat night, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Sat morning, strong winds from the W by Sun night).

Tue
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
3
0
2
2
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
WSW
0.4
SW
0.6
SW
0.7
SW
0.7
SW
0.8
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.9
WSW
1
WSW
1.3
WSW
1
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.5
SW
0.7
WSW
2.3
SSE
2.1
W
2.5
WSW
2.1
W
2.5
W
3
WSW
Period(s) (?)12151414131312151412121010121366781013
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)94661621861752061333343233204912291547514537136657754512583242
Wind
(km/h)
15
ENE
25
NE
20
NNW
20
WNW
10
NNW
15
NNW
20
NW
5
W
10
ESE
30
SE
15
ESE
5
ESE
15
SSE
15
ESE
25
ESE
35
SSE
35
W
30
WNW
30
WNW
20
WNW
15
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
crosscross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
oncross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:57AM
2.82
1:19PM
2.61
1:45AM
2.65
2:18PM
2.45
2:49AM
2.51
3:32PM
2.36
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
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:53PM
0.75
7:19AM
0.95
7:36PM
0.92
8:11AM
1.10
8:29PM
1.07
9:15AM
1.18
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
Tue
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Sunrise--6:45--6:46--6:47--6:48--6:48--6:50--6:50
Sunset6:07--6:06--6:05--6:02--6:01--6:00--5:59--
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
Rain (mm)
29-----------111341112-
Temp. °C181919181618181618171619192019181816171616
Feels °C (?)161718161516161615131418171917141311121211
  • 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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