Surf Forecasts:
Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, S swell with 6,215 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 4.0m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming at The Gap. This is a sheltered, beginner-friendly spot that needs everything to line up, and we’ve got a real mixed bag ahead.
Water temp is 54°, which is about 1° cooler than average for this time of year – a little nippy, but nothing too crazy.
Right off the bat, Tuesday morning, August 4th, we’ve got a massive 13ft swell from the SSW with a 13-second period, and combined energy is a huge 9244. That’s a ton of water, but with a 30 km/h cross-off wind, it’s clean. Problem is, for a beginner break, 13ft is way too big – this is expert-only, and even then, it’s pushing it. Tuesday afternoon turns into a mess with 45 km/h cross-shore winds and a 15ft swell – total chop. Wednesday morning, August 5th, hits 15ft again, and the guidance flat-out says it’s too big for this break. Stay out.
Thursday morning, August 6th, things calm down to a 7ft swell from the SSW, 11-second period, and combined energy of 2263. With a gentle 15 km/h cross-off, it’s clean and good for experienced surfers, but 7ft is still big for this spot. Thursday afternoon fades with a smaller 6ft SE swell and cross-shore wind.
Here’s the standout. Friday, August 7th, is your day. Morning brings a 4ft swell from the south, but the period is 16 seconds – that’s a serious groundswell. Combined energy is 1383, and with a light 10 km/h cross-off from the NNW, it’s glassy. That long period means the waves will have real shape and power, with long lulls between sets, making it easier to get out. For a sheltered reef-style break like The Gap, this is magic. Friday afternoon holds up with a 5ft swell and a gentle offshore breeze from the WNW.
Saturday, August 8th, keeps the good times rolling with 5ft and 5ft swells, moderate offshore winds, and clean conditions. Combined energy drops to around 600, so it’s less powerful but still fun. Sunday morning, August 9th, is clean at 4ft with a 10-second period.
Then the wheels come off. From Monday, August 10th, through to Wednesday, August 19th, it’s mostly onshore winds, rain, and poor surf. There’s a brief window on Thursday, August 13th, with glassy conditions and a 5ft ESE swell, but the period is short at 9 seconds and energy is low at 427. The final few days, around August 18th and 19th, see 10ft swells from the east with 11-12 second periods, but winds are cross-off and the guidance calls it marginal. Those are big, powerful waves for The Gap, and only for the brave.
Your best bet is Friday, August 7th, with that long-period groundswell and clean conditions. That’s the one to circle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Thu morning, min 5°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 10 | SSW 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 13 | S 12 | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 5680 | 5601 | 5975 | 6215 | 4340 | 965 | 1086 | 615 | 408 | 827 | 902 | 723 | 617 | 467 | 360 | 296 | 609 | 278 | 1967 | 2473 | 2250 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:16AM1.21m | 9:44PM1.23m | 10:02AM1.27m | 10:32PM1.26m | 10:50AM1.34m | 11:20PM1.29m | 11:40AM1.40m | 00:09AM1.31m | 12:32PM1.45m | 1:01AM1.32m | 1:27PM1.48m | 1:57AM1.31m | 2:22PM1.51m | 2:56AM1.30m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:30PM0.16m | 4:05AM0.16m | 4:22PM0.13m | 4:51AM0.13m | 5:13PM0.10m | 5:37AM0.09m | 6:03PM0.06m | 6:24AM0.05m | 6:54PM0.02m | 7:12AM0.01m | 7:45PM-0.01m | 8:04AM-0.02m | 8:39PM-0.03m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — |
mm | 3 | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | -4 | -4 | -5 | -1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 10 | S 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 13 | S 12 | NE 9 | SSW 16 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 3558 | 6 | 6 | 4295 | 3221 | 965 | 683 | 615 | 408 | 433 | 902 | 723 | 617 | 467 | 360 | 296 | 609 | 278 | 26 | 25 | 1970 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | — | — | — | — | S 12 | SE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 16 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | S 16 | S 10 | ENE 7 | S 16 | NNE 8 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 6 | — | — | — | — | 723 | 488 | 400 | 200 | 827 | 265 | 200 | 61 | 42 | 40 | 239 | 192 | 59 | 5 | 6 | 21 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SE 16 | E 18 | E 18 | SE 12 | SSW 10 | S 10 | E 14 | E 14 | SE 11 | S 18 | SSE 13 | E 12 | SSE 12 | E 12 | NE 12 | NNE 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 67 | 6 | 6 | 300 | 123 | 183 | 4 | 4 | 32 | 6 | 98 | 11 | 133 | 3 | 6 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | — | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 4 | N 3 | NE 3 | SW 5 | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 5680 | 5601 | 5975 | 6215 | 4340 | — | 1086 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 37 | 1967 | 2473 | 2250 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 102 | 279 | 273 | 102 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 99 | 99 | 228 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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