Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Saturday 20 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
17.9° C
(Which is 1.0°C warmer than 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 Friday (Dec 26) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 2.4m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 12 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Dec 28) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Friday (Dec 26) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Fri 26th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Best Surf 1PM (Fri 26th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sun 28th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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 34mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sun night, strong winds from the NNW by Mon night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Wed morning, light winds from the WNW by Fri morning).

Sat
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.4
WSW
3
WSW
2
WSW
1.7
WSW
1.7
WSW
1.3
WSW
1
SW
1.5
W
3
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
W
2.2
NW
3.5
WNW
2.5
WSW
2.4
W
2.1
W
2.4
W
2.5
W
3
W
3
W
2.5
W
Period(s) (?)98991111116791011101110101112121313
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)921103960141665041222416588012741432110023521452115288214011691243027092356
Wind
(km/h)
30
W
30
WSW
20
WSW
20
WSW
15
W
15
WNW
25
NW
25
NW
40
NW
30
WNW
25
NW
40
NNW
30
W
20
WNW
25
NW
30
NW
30
NNW
40
N
25
W
25
NW
20
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
onononononcross-
on
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:07PM
2.97
11:23AM
3.16
11:43PM
3.00
11:59AM
3.18
12:20AM
3.00
12:36PM
3.18
12:59AM
2.97
1:16PM
3.14
1:41AM
2.92
1:58PM
3.08
2:25AM
2.86
2:42PM
3.01
3:14AM
2.80
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:59PM
0.68
5:16AM
0.59
5:35PM
0.67
5:52AM
0.59
6:13PM
0.68
6:30AM
0.60
6:53PM
0.69
7:08AM
0.63
7:36PM
0.70
7:50AM
0.67
8:20PM
0.71
8:35AM
0.73
9:07PM
0.72
9:24AM
0.78
Sat
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Sunrise--5:52--5:52--5:54--5:54--5:54--5:54--5:56
Sunset8:50--8:50--8:51--8:51--8:52--8:52--8:52--
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
heavy rain
clear
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
Rain (mm)
-------1420-35-----811-
Temp. °C161516161517181819191719181618191818171617
Feels °C (?)9911121213141514151314141213141212131212
  • 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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