Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Thursday 26 Mar 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
18.2° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Mar 27) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Mar 31) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 11s period and expected on Thursday (Mar 26) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Fri 27th Mar)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Best Surf 4PM (Fri 27th Mar)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful10AM (Tue 31st Mar)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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 33mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Mon night, calm by Tue night).

Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
4
2
!
3
1
0
2
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
!
4
4
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1
WSW
0.9
WSW
2.1
NW
2.3
NW
3
NW
2.2
NW
1.8
WNW
1.6
WNW
1
WSW
1
WSW
0.9
WSW
1.5
WNW
1.6
WNW
1.8
WNW
3
W
3.5
WSW
3
WSW
2.1
WSW
1.8
WSW
1.7
WSW
1.4
SW
Period(s) (?)141412121110991313131211109101010131313
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)4373421142135618349285863663683682776096196791672258514199781169961700
Wind
(km/h)
30
E
25
ENE
25
NE
25
NNE
25
N
15
N
15
NNW
20
NW
10
NNW
10
N
20
N
20
N
30
NW
30
W
35
WSW
40
WSW
15
SSE
10
E
5
S
10
S
10
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crossonononcrossoffglasscrosscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:47PM
2.62
5:35AM
2.69
6:10PM
2.61
6:55AM
2.77
7:23PM
2.69
7:58AM
2.91
8:24PM
2.83
8:49AM
3.05
9:13PM
2.97
9:33AM
3.16
9:56PM
3.10
10:12AM
3.23
10:33PM
3.19
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:28AM
0.98
10:58PM
1.02
11:52AM
1.02
12:27AM
1.00
1:12PM
0.90
1:41AM
0.84
2:15PM
0.71
2:38AM
0.64
3:04PM
0.52
3:24AM
0.46
3:46PM
0.35
4:05AM
0.33
4:24PM
0.25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Sunrise7:31--7:33--7:33--7:35--7:35--7:37--7:37--
Sunset-7:28--7:25--7:23--7:22--7:21--7:20--7:17-
heavy rain
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
2094--------143--------
Temp. °C151718212118202017212119191816151614161615
Feels °C (?)1014141818171918172019171615981312151515
  • 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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Quick surf report for Desperation Point:

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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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