Surf Forecasts:
Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with 6,315 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Castlepoint - The Gap this week:
The surf forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Castlepoint - The Gap in the next 16 days are 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. This is your local surf forecast from me, Rusty.
First up, we’re looking at Castlepoint - The Gap. The water temp is sitting at 54°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Now, the overall pattern. The next couple of days are a bit of a write-off, to be honest. We’ve got some energy rolling in on Thursday afternoon the 27th with a 7ft S swell and a very long 16-second period – that’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is strong at 2265, but the wind is a messy cross-shore and the forecast flags it as marginal. Not where you want to be on a Thursday. Friday the 28th cleans up with a north wind and clean conditions, but the swell drops to 5ft. Saturday and Sunday (29th-30th) are small and ordinary, with the swell dropping under 3ft.
Now, here’s the standout. Monday morning, the 31st of August. We get a jump in energy with a 6ft, 15-second SSW groundswell and a massive combined energy of 2100. The wind is offshore from the W at 12 mph, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the real deal. The swell direction (SSW) is almost bang on the optimum direction for The Gap, which is ESE. A long-period swell like this (15 seconds) will love the point setup here; expect proper waves with plenty of push. It’s not beginner-friendly at 6ft, but for anyone with a bit of experience, Monday morning is the session to aim for.
Monday afternoon gets too big. That 15ft of S swell with a 12-second period is just too much for this break – the forecast flat-out says it’s too big. A huge miss.
Tuesday and Wednesday (1st-2nd September) look a bit mixed. Tuesday morning is clean but marginal with wind and tide issues. Wednesday morning on the 2nd looks promising with a 7ft S swell, 12 seconds, and a moderate offshore from the WNW – that’s a good shot at some solid, clean waves.
After that, the second week gets smaller. Thursday and Friday (3rd-5th) are very ordinary with swell below 3ft and strong offshore winds that will make it hard to paddle into. The swell direction shifts around, but nothing really stands out. There’s a bit of a pulse on Friday the 11th of September – the very end of the forecast – with an 8ft, 15-second SSW swell arriving with a moderate offshore and a combined energy of 3305. That’s one to watch if you’re planning that far ahead, but don’t bank on it yet. The long-range outlook is always a bit less certain.
Overall, the clear standout is Monday morning, the 31st of August. After that, keep an eye on Wednesday morning the 2nd of September for another decent window.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu night, fresh winds from the W by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Mon night, light winds from the NNW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1279 | 623 | 485 | 248 | 248 | 191 | 110 | 77 | 119 | 85 | 5186 | 2822 | 1497 | 3303 | 1810 | 1597 | 1084 | 911 | 814 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:41AM1.07m | 4:57PM1.18m | 5:30AM1.08m | 5:49PM1.18m | 6:21AM1.12m | 6:43PM1.19m | 7:12AM1.17m | 7:39PM1.22m | 8:03AM1.24m | 8:33PM1.24m | 8:53AM1.31m | 9:25PM1.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:35PM0.24m | 10:43AM0.21m | 11:30PM0.24m | 11:34AM0.20m | 00:25AM0.24m | 12:28PM0.19m | 1:16AM0.22m | 1:23PM0.17m | 2:05AM0.20m | 2:21PM0.15m | 2:54AM0.17m | 3:17PM0.12m | |||||||
— | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
1279 | 623 | 485 | 248 | 248 | 191 | 110 | 77 | 119 | 61 | 2611 | 2822 | 1497 | 2053 | 1810 | 1597 | 1084 | 911 | 814 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 16 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | S 16 | S 15 | NE 9 |
— | 33 | 59 | 62 | 39 | 31 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 85 | 30 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 15 | 185 | 228 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 15 | SSW 12 | ESE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 10 | SSE 10 | NW 4 | SE 11 | — | SE 11 | — | SE 12 | — | NNE 10 | NE 9 | SE 12 |
— | — | 9 | 14 | 17 | 25 | 22 | 51 | 19 | 2 | 5 | — | 5 | — | 6 | — | 9 | 3 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | NE 6 | NNW 2 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | W 2 | SW 5 | SSW 12 | — | W 4 | SSW 13 | — | — | NW 4 | NW 4 | WNW 4 |
47 | 108 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | — | 1 | 35 | 5186 | — | 35 | 3303 | — | — | 14 | 17 | 52 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 88 | 0 | 28 | 55 | 28 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 190 | 0 | 143 | 143 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Castlepoint - The Gap Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Castlepoint - The Gap provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Castlepoint - The Gap can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Castlepoint - The Gap 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 (Castlepoint - The Gap) 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 Castlepoint - The Gap 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 The Wairarapa? If you are looking for accommodation near Castlepoint - The Gap, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in The Wairarapa, consider staying in Masterton which is 48 km (30 miles) away. Other places in and around The Wairarapa where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Palmerston North which is 80 km (50 miles) away and Levin, 86 km (53 miles) away.











