Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.91° S 176.22° E

Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Castlepoint - The Gap sea temperature is
11.9°C
0.7° 

Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 18s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 18s period, S swell with 2,702 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period with SSW 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Castlepoint - The Gap in the next 16 days are 2.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore 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 (Aug 29) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Mon 24th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Best Surf 9AM (Thu 27th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 18s
Most Powerful 9AM (Thu 27th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming down the pipe for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a slow start, with nothing really worth getting wet for until later in the week. The first few days are just building energy, but the real standout is going to be Thursday the 27th of August, and then a massive pulse way out on Friday the 4th of September that’s only for the brave.

For the early part of the week, Monday the 24th through Wednesday the 26th, the waves are there but not firing. Monday morning at Castlepoint - The Gap sees a clean 5ft SSW swell with a 14-second period and a moderate offshore breeze. The combined energy is moderate (977). It’s surfable but nothing to brag about. The wind picks up in the afternoon, making it messy. Tuesday and Wednesday drop off in size and quality, with smaller swells and stronger winds.

Now, Thursday the 27th of August is the one to circle. We get a solid 7ft S swell rolling in with a very long 18-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is strong (2469). The morning is absolutely glassy with zero wind. For a sheltered spot like The Gap, that’s a dream. It’s clean, powerful, and well overhead. This one’s for experienced surfers, as it’ll be pushing limits for anyone not comfortable in solid surf. The water temp is about average for this time of year.

Friday the 28th hangs in there with a 5ft S swell and light cross-off winds, still clean and fun but smaller. Saturday and Sunday drop off further into the 3ft to 4ft range with glassy spells, but it’s pretty ordinary – small, slow waves for a longboard or a foiler.

We then hit a bit of a lull through the end of August and into the start of September. The wind turns messy, and the swell drops off. Not much to get excited about from Monday the 31st through to Wednesday the 2nd of September.

But then, Friday the 4th of September – hold onto your board. We’ve got a massive 13ft S swell hitting with an 18-second period. The combined energy is off the charts at (10959). That’s huge, powerful, and only for expert surfers. The morning looks clean with light winds, but the afternoon gets ruined by a strong cross-onshore. If you’re a seasoned charger, get in the water early. This is the big one, but it’s over two weeks away, so keep an eye on the forecasts.

Saturday the 5th of September still has solid 8ft to 7ft S swell with clean winds, offering very good surf for those who can handle it. After that, the swell fades quickly into the following week with small, weak waves.

So, the best on offer: Thursday morning, 27th of August for clean, powerful 7ft groundswell, and Friday morning, 4th of September for the serious, massive 13ft swell. Everything else is small or blown out.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
4
4
3
2
1
0
2
1
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SSW
14
2.1
SSW
13
1.4
SSW
12
1.2
SSW
12
1.1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
16
2.1
S
18
2.1
S
16
1.7
S
14
1.4
S
13
1.3
S
12
1.2
S
12
1.1
S
11
1.1
S
11
0.9
S
10
0.8
S
10
0.8
S
9
0.7
S
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
926
1452
567
418
605
385
452
376
669
2702
2344
1126
643
501
396
300
289
177
125
111
68
Wind (km/h)
20
NW
25
NW
25
WNW
25
WNW
40
WNW
35
WNW
30
WNW
20
WNW
35
WNW
5
WSW
10
NW
10
N
15
N
20
N
25
NW
10
NW
10
WSW
10
NNW
30
W
15
S
15
NW
Wind State
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
2:01PM1.24m
2:24AM1.10m
2:42PM1.22m
3:09AM1.08m
3:24PM1.20m
3:54AM1.07m
4:09PM1.18m
4:41AM1.07m
4:57PM1.18m
5:30AM1.08m
5:49PM1.18m
6:21AM1.12m
6:43PM1.19m
Low Tide
8:20PM0.21m
8:22AM0.24m
9:01PM0.22m
9:06AM0.23m
9:45PM0.23m
9:53AM0.22m
10:35PM0.24m
10:43AM0.21m
11:30PM0.24m
11:34AM0.20m
00:25AM0.24m
12:28PM0.19m
1:16AM0.22m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
6:46
6:45
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
 mm
1
1
Temp °C
14
14
12
15
15
12
15
16
15
16
18
14
15
16
13
15
15
11
15
13
11
Feels °C
8
8
6
9
7
6
10
12
9
14
15
11
11
12
9
12
13
9
9
9
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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