Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Friday 02 Jan 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
17.8° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 02) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 08) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jan 03) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Fri 2nd Jan)2ft (0.6m) 13s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 2nd Jan)2ft (0.6m) 13s
Most Powerful10PM (Thu 8th Jan)8ft (2.5m) 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 Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Fri night, fresh winds from the SE by Sat afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thu
08
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
0
2
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.5
W
1
W
0.6
WSW
0.7
SW
1
WSW
2.3
SSE
2.1
SSE
1.6
SSE
0.6
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.7
SW
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.7
SW
0.7
SW
1.7
WSW
1.6
WSW
1.6
SW
1.5
WSW
1.5
WSW
Period(s) (?)87141311777171615141413131277777
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)29492133172243542444227211226275206323215170153286222227210210
Wind
(km/h)
15
NW
15
NW
20
WNW
10
ESE
25
SE
35
SE
30
SE
25
SE
20
SSE
10
ESE
0
W
10
SW
0
NE
10
WNW
20
W
15
NW
25
WNW
25
W
15
NNW
5
SW
20
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
glassonglasscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crossglasson
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:29AM
3.24
9:51PM
3.15
10:20AM
3.40
10:44PM
3.25
11:09AM
3.50
11:33PM
3.29
11:56AM
3.52
12:20AM
3.27
12:42PM
3.45
1:05AM
3.18
1:25PM
3.32
1:49AM
3.05
2:08PM
3.15
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:12AM
0.48
3:43PM
0.46
4:06AM
0.36
4:34PM
0.34
4:56AM
0.27
5:24PM
0.29
5:44AM
0.24
6:12PM
0.29
6:29AM
0.28
6:59PM
0.35
7:14AM
0.38
7:46PM
0.45
7:58AM
0.52
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thu
08
Sunrise-6:01--6:01--6:01--6:03--6:03--6:05--6:05-
Sunset--8:53--8:53--8:54--8:54--8:54--8:53--8:53
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---1-----------------
Temp. °C161818161617151717141718161818161717161818
Feels °C (?)14151515121191213121717171615151314151716
  • 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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