Desperation Point surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Monday 12 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
19.3° C
(Which is 1.3°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 Wednesday (Jan 14) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Desperation Point in the next 12 days are 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 12) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jan 18) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Wed 14th Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 9s
Best Surf10PM (Thu 15th Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s
Most Powerful 4AM (Mon 12th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Desperation Point over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sun night, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Sun night, calm by Wed afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the SE by Sat morning).

Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sun
18
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
1
1
2
2
0
3
2
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
W
3
W
2.5
W
2.1
WSW
1.8
WSW
1.8
WSW
1.3
WSW
1
WSW
0.9
WSW
1
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.6
WSW
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
1
SW
0.9
SW
0.9
SW
0.8
SW
1.7
SSE
0.6
SW
0.5
SW
Period(s) (?)1211111211111010910101514141313131261211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)191425411379123680270935620115318614814247645035224923417520710661
Wind
(km/h)
45
NNW
25
WSW
25
W
15
NW
15
WNW
25
WNW
20
NW
10
NW
10
NNW
5
NNE
15
N
15
NNW
10
N
5
SW
10
SSW
20
SE
25
SE
35
SE
30
ESE
30
SE
35
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crossononcrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrossglasscross-
off
crosscross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:01AM
2.52
5:29PM
2.52
6:14AM
2.49
6:40PM
2.49
7:29AM
2.56
7:47PM
2.53
8:25AM
2.68
8:42PM
2.63
9:10AM
2.82
9:29PM
2.76
9:49AM
2.97
10:10PM
2.89
10:27AM
3.10
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:48PM
0.92
11:19AM
1.10
11:49PM
1.00
12:32PM
1.15
1:02AM
1.02
1:44PM
1.10
2:07AM
0.96
2:39PM
1.00
2:58AM
0.86
3:23PM
0.89
3:41AM
0.75
4:02PM
0.77
4:19AM
0.63
4:39PM
0.66
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sun
18
Sunrise-6:09--6:11--6:11--6:13--6:13--6:15--6:16-
Sunset--8:53--8:52--8:52--8:52--8:52--8:52--8:51
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
light rain
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
2------4111333---------
Temp. °C201818151717161415171819181919172020201919
Feels °C (?)141414121313131316171718181918161515151313
  • 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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