
Surf Forecasts:
Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 20s period, S swell with 2,456 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period with ESE 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 (Jul 15) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 19s. 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 1.7m 20s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 20s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the Castlepoint - The Gap forecast for the next couple weeks. It’s a real mixed bag, with a few windows of proper, clean surf and plenty of flat spells in between. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing too unusual.
The first real standout is comin’ up on Friday, July 17th. This is the pick of the bunch. Friday morning we’ll see a clean 6 ft swell from the south, with a solid 14-second period and a light cross-offshore breeze. The energy in the water is strong (2090), and it’s lookin’ like excellent surf for experienced surfers. By Friday afternoon, it gets even better—the swell bumps up to 8 ft, glassy conditions, and the energy is very strong (3082). That afternoon session is a proper treat for the crew who can handle it. The Gap is a sheltered spot, and with this long-period groundswell from the south, it’s gonna be a ripper—just know it’s a bit much for the beginners.
Saturday the 18th starts off with a fresh offshore breeze and 4 ft from the ESE (energy 950), but it’s a bit marginal. The afternoon cleans up with a nice 4 ft swell from the southeast and a cross-offshore wind, and the energy is strong (1253). It’s a good, clean session, but not quite the standout.
Then we’ve got a gap of a few days with not much to write home about. Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th have some solid south swell, but the wind is onshore or cross-shore, making it a bit messy. Monday morning, July 20th, has a strong 6 ft south swell (1732 energy) and a light cross-offshore wind, which is promising, but the afternoon turns cross-onshore. It’s surfable, but you’ll be workin’ for it.
Looking further ahead, there’s another potential highlight on Wednesday, July 30th. That’s over a week away, so take it with a grain of salt, but the models are showin’ a clean 6 ft swell from the SSW with a 10-second period and a light offshore wind. The energy is strong (1063), and they’re callin’ it “very good” conditions. Could be a solid morning session if it holds.
Between the good days, there are long stretches of tiny, weak swell—like 1 ft to 2 ft—with clean but gutless conditions. The energy is low (under 100), and there’s just not enough push to get excited about. It’s a waiting game for the next proper pulse.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Thu morning, calm by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Fri night, calm by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tue 21 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | S 14 | S 14 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | SE 14 | S 20 | SSW 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
52 | 45 | 43 | 56 | 167 | 298 | 635 | 1145 | 2185 | 730 | 682 | 573 | 2456 | 1874 | 1381 | 1065 | 1568 | 1315 | 1110 | 747 | 496 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:15AM1.35m | 5:35PM1.58m | 6:14AM1.35m | 6:35PM1.54m | 7:12AM1.34m | 7:34PM1.50m | 8:09AM1.35m | 8:32PM1.44m | 9:03AM1.36m | 9:29PM1.40m | 9:55AM1.36m | 10:23PM1.36m | 10:46AM1.36m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:03PM-0.01m | 11:21AM-0.06m | 00:07AM-0.03m | 12:20PM-0.09m | 1:08AM-0.04m | 1:19PM-0.10m | 2:05AM-0.04m | 2:17PM-0.08m | 2:59AM-0.02m | 3:16PM-0.04m | 3:52AM0.01m | 4:14PM0.01m | 4:42AM0.05m | 5:08PM0.07m | |||||||
— | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | |
— | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Feels °C | 8 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 11 | ESE 14 | SE 14 | S 20 | SSW 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
21 | 45 | 43 | 56 | 167 | 298 | 635 | 1145 | 2185 | 675 | 682 | 573 | 2456 | 1874 | 1381 | 1065 | 1568 | 1315 | 1110 | 747 | 496 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | NE 6 | SSW 19 | E 10 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | S 9 | S 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
52 | 6 | 36 | 18 | 24 | 25 | 80 | 945 | 897 | 730 | 256 | 157 | 479 | 357 | 290 | 193 | 164 | 123 | 87 | 70 | 69 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 9 | S 16 | NE 5 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | NE 11 | SW 4 | — | — | — | S 25 | S 23 | — | — | — | S 19 | — | S 16 | S 18 | — | — |
3 | 5 | 1 | 33 | 19 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | 12 | 523 | — | — | — | 265 | — | 5 | 55 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | — | — | NW 2 | WNW 3 | W 3 | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 |
1 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 28 | 4 | 0 | 16 | 74 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 16 | 0 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
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.











