Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.91° S 176.22° E

Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 10 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Castlepoint - The Gap sea temperature is
11.7° C
1.1° 

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 10 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, ESE swell with 809 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s 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 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 11th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Best Surf 9AM (Tue 11th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sun 16th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

The forecast kicks off on Monday the 10th of August with a bit of a whimper – a small 3ft SSE swell, but with a moderate cross-shore and a cross-chop, it’s pretty poor. Not the start we were hoping for.

Things improve a little on Tuesday the 11th. The morning brings a 6ft SSW swell, and the wind is a nice cross-offshore breeze, so the surf is clean. The wave energy is significant (1116), but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it’s a bit lumpy and won’t have that real grunt. By the afternoon, the wind swings onshore and the swell drops, so the morning is the only window.

The next few days are a write-off. Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th are a washout with strong onshore winds and messy, choppy conditions. Friday the 14th morning, however, is a bright spot. It’s a glassy morning with a 6ft E swell – the wind is dead calm, so it’ll be clean. The energy is moderate (374), but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it might be a bit warby. The afternoon sees the wind come onshore, so the early session is the one.

The weekend is a no-go. Saturday the 15th is a rain-soaked, windy mess, and Sunday the 16th is a total write-off with near-gale force winds. The swell is big (7ft and 6ft) but the wind is so strong it’s not worth thinking about.

The real standout, and the one to circle on the calendar, is Wednesday the 19th of August. The morning session at Castlepoint - The Gap (New Zealand) is looking massive – a solid 28ft SSW swell with a very long period of 16 seconds. The wind is a clean cross-offshore, and the wave energy is a staggering 62681. The problem is, this is *too* big. It’s only for the experts. The break is sheltered, but even so, it’s going to be a full-on, heavy, consequential wave. The crowd factor is also a thing – it’s often crowded, so be prepared for a pack. The water temperature is 53°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so make sure you’ve got a good thick suit.

The Thursday the 20th is still big, with a 13ft swell from the south, but the wind is a bit more onshore, making it a bit less clean. The energy is still very strong (5480), but it’s more of a challenge than a joy.

The next week has a couple of other promising windows. Friday the 21st of August sees a clean, offshore WNW wind with a 5ft S swell. The energy is strong (1198) and the period is a solid 11 seconds, so it’s a proper groundswell. This one is much more manageable and should offer some great, clean waves. The crowds are likely, but it’s the best all-round option for the intermediate surfer. Saturday the 22nd fades out, but Sunday the 23rd looks good again with a moderate offshore breeze and a 7ft S swell. The energy is strong (1098), but with a 9-second period, it’s a bit shorter. The morning is the call.

After that, the swell lingers but the winds turn onshore, so the quality drops. The Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th are onshore and messy, with the swell dropping slowly.

The best of the entire forecast is the 19th of August for the experts, but for the rest of us, the 21st of August is the standout session. The Gap is a sheltered spot, so it can handle a bit of swell, but it’s often crowded, so get in early.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the NE by Wed afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, near gales from the SSW by Sat night).

Mon
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
0
0
0
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)
0.9
SSE
9
1.8
SSW
8
1.9
SSW
8
1.3
SSE
11
1.1
SE
9
1.2
SSE
7
1.1
ENE
6
0.9
SE
9
0.7
SE
8
1
ENE
6
1.5
ENE
7
1.8
E
7
2
E
8
2.1
E
8
1.5
ESE
8
1.6
SE
8
2.3
ESE
9
2.1
ESE
9
1.8
E
9
1.8
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
124
378
460
379
186
138
91
120
74
75
211
320
509
523
270
305
738
708
541
618
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
15
WSW
15
WSW
10
SE
20
ENE
25
NE
30
NE
20
NNE
15
NNE
20
NE
10
NE
5
NNE
10
SSE
5
SE
20
SE
30
S
35
SSW
50
SSW
50
SSW
45
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
2:56AM1.30m
3:19PM1.51m
3:56AM1.29m
4:17PM1.50m
4:54AM1.29m
5:16PM1.47m
5:52AM1.29m
6:15PM1.43m
6:49AM1.30m
7:13PM1.39m
7:45AM1.32m
8:10PM1.35m
Low Tide
8:39PM-0.03m
9:00AM-0.05m
9:37PM-0.03m
10:00AM-0.07m
10:39PM-0.01m
11:01AM-0.09m
11:43PM0.00m
12:00PM-0.08m
00:43AM0.02m
12:59PM-0.06m
1:39AM0.04m
1:57PM-0.02m
2:32AM0.06m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:35
 mm
2
13
3
10
13
1
4
Temp °C
13
9
11
11
11
12
12
10
10
12
12
13
13
12
12
12
11
8
7
7
Feels °C
9
5
8
9
7
6
6
7
7
8
12
12
11
11
9
7
5
-3
-4
-4
  • 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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