Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.91° S 176.22° E

Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 12 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Castlepoint - The Gap sea temperature is
11.8° C
0.9° 

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 12 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 10,439 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period with NE 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 14) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 14th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 7s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 19th Aug)16ft (5.0m) 12s
Most Powerful12PM (Wed 19th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here. Look, we've got a mixed bag ahead at Castlepoint - The Gap over the next couple of weeks. The first few days are a write-off, and then we get a big, gnarly pulse that's only for the brave. Let's break it down.

We start off with nothing worth mentioning for Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th. The wind is messy or just flat, and the swell is tiny with weak energy (195) and a short period of 8 seconds. Friday morning is glassy and clean with a little 2ft swell from the ENE, but it's just not enough to get excited about.

The real story starts on Sunday the 16th. A strong southerly swell hits, but it comes with a near-gale cross-shore wind. The energy is massive at (1411), but it's just a howling, chopped-up mess. This is followed by Monday and Tuesday with more big southerly swell – we're talking 10ft to 12ft – but it's still cross-shore and lumpy. For most, this will be a kite-surfing show, not a paddle session.

Now, Wednesday the 19th is the standout, but with a massive caveat. The morning has a 13ft S swell on a 14-second period, and the wind is cross-off and clean. The energy is a colossal (6431). This is a *very* long-period groundswell. For a reef or point break, that would be world-class, but at a sheltered beach break like The Gap, those long-period swells can break too straight and close out. It is way over 8ft, so experts only. The afternoon gets even bigger at 15ft with a 15-second period and energy through the roof at (14085). It's a beast, but likely too big even for the faithful.

Thursday the 20th is your best bet for experienced surfers. The swell drops to a still solid 10ft from the south, period at 12 seconds, and the morning is glassy with a light westerly cross-off. The energy is still very strong (3769), but the clean conditions make it much more manageable than the days before. This is your window if you've got the skills.

Into the second week, things settle down. Friday the 21st has a nice clean 6ft south swell at 11 seconds with offshore winds in the morning. The energy is moderate (706), and it looks like a fun, clean option. Saturday the 22nd is also good with clean offshore winds and a 4ft south swell. After that, the surf fades into very small, weak swells with fresh offshore winds that are just a bit too strong for quality waves. There's a bump on Monday the 24th afternoon with a 7ft S swell and a solid 13-second period, but it comes with a moderate cross-off wind, making it just a marginal option.

The real standout for the whole period is undeniably Wednesday the 19th – the sheer size and power of that swell is something special – but it’s a beast that demands respect. For the more sensible surfer, Thursday the 20th morning at The Gap is the session to aim for: big, clean, and powerful, but with a window of glassy conditions.

The water is about average for this time of year. It’s been a long wait, but there’s some serious grunt coming.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat night, min 6°C on Mon night). Mainly strong winds.

Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
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
SE
9
0.7
SE
8
1
ENE
6
1.3
ENE
7
1.3
ENE
7
1.7
ENE
7
1.2
E
7
1.5
E
8
1.5
ENE
8
0.5
SSW
19
3
S
8
3.5
S
9
3.5
SSE
9
3
SSE
9
3
SSE
9
2.4
SE
11
3
SSW
9
2.5
S
9
4
S
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
159
67
82
147
177
302
138
301
280
199
1029
2223
2000
1655
1569
1322
1274
1079
4283
Wind (km/h)
20
NNE
15
NNE
15
NNE
15
NNE
5
NW
5
ENE
15
NE
15
ENE
10
ENE
35
SW
50
S
45
S
40
S
30
SSW
30
SSW
20
WSW
40
SSW
40
SSW
35
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
High Tide
4:54AM1.29m
5:16PM1.47m
5:52AM1.29m
6:15PM1.43m
6:49AM1.30m
7:13PM1.39m
7:45AM1.32m
8:10PM1.35m
8:38AM1.34m
9:04PM1.33m
9:29AM1.35m
9:55PM1.31m
Low Tide
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
2:55PM0.03m
3:23AM0.10m
3:50PM0.08m
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
clear
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:03
7:01
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:37
 mm
4
2
1
2
14
4
3
1
1
2
Temp °C
10
10
11
11
12
13
12
13
12
11
8
8
8
9
9
9
10
9
10
Feels °C
5
7
8
9
11
12
9
11
11
8
-3
-3
-2
1
1
0
1
0
2
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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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