
Surf Forecasts:
Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with 4,582 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what's coming down the line for Castlepoint - The Gap. Looks like a bit of a slow cooker this one, but there’s some decent windows of opportunity if you’re patient.
Right out of the gate, we’ve got a bit of a gap. The first action kicks off on Friday the 11th of September. The morning is looking pretty tidy with a small 2ft SSW groundswell. The period is a very long 18 seconds, so there's plenty of push for the size, and the wind is a light cross-off from the NNW. The water temp is sitting at 54°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. It’s a real clean morning, but it's for the beginners out there – the swell energy is moderate at 488.
Don't get too excited by the afternoon though, Friday. The wind swings hard to the WNW at 19 mph, and while it’s offshore, it’s a fresh breeze that’s going to put a bit of a rattle on things. The waves will be small and clean enough, but the fun factor drops off a cliff.
Saturday the 12th sees the swell bump up. Morning brings a 5ft S swell with a solid 16-second period, but the wind is a light cross-shore from the SSW. The energy is proper at 1339, but the wind is just enough to put a tiny wrinkle on the face. By the afternoon it’s bigger, 8ft from the S, but the wind goes onshore. That size is pushing into the too-big-for-beginners zone, and with onshore wind, it’s going to be a bit of a lumpy mess.
The real standout for me is looking at Sunday the 13th. The morning is the pick. We’ve got a clean 7ft S swell, decent 14-second period, and a light cross-off breeze from the WSW. The combined energy is strong at 1697. The wind is keeping it clean. That’s proper surfable, clean, and with some push. It’s not giant, but it’s the best of the first week. The afternoon blows out as the wind turns cross-shore and strengthens, so get on it early.
Then we hit a bit of a lull.
Monday the 14th morning is glassy! A 7ft S swell with only a whisper of wind from the NNW. It’s as clean as it gets, but the energy is dropping to 1231. It’s still a nice wave, but the sun and the glass are a treat. The next few days drop off hard.
From Tuesday the 15th all the way through to the end of the week, the swell just collapses. We’re talking 1ft to 3ft with terrible periods and mostly messy wind conditions. The energy dips into the weak zone (down to 45 in some spots). It’s a real flat spell.
Friday the 18th of September shows a spark of hope in the afternoon. A solid 10ft S swell rolls in, with the energy jumping to 4434 – that’s very strong. The period is 15 seconds, so it’s long and powerful. The wind is a light cross-on from the S. That’s big, clean for the size, but with a bit of onshore texture. That’s definitely one for the experts only; that much water moving is serious business.
Looking further out, the weekend of the 19th and 20th is looking promising but a bit touch-and-go. Saturday the 19th has a 7ft SSW groundswell and a fresh offshore wind from the WNW, keeping it clean. The energy is strong at 1951. That is another solid session in the making, but with that wind strength, you’ll need your wits about you.
The real long-range standout is looking at Tuesday the 22nd of September. The morning session is looking epic on paper. A 7ft S swell, 13-second period, and a clean moderate offshore from the NW. Energy at 1444. All signs point to a good, clean, powerful wave. But it’s a long way out, so keep a loose eye on that one.
Thursday the 24th afternoon also throws up a wildcard. An 8ft SSE swell with a very short 8-second period, but glassy conditions with a gentle offshore from the NW. The energy is moderate at 1037. That short period means it will be a bit fat and walled-up, but with glassy conditions, it might be a fun one for the more experienced crew on a bigger board.
Overall, there’s no consistent run of pumping surf. The best bets are Sunday morning the 13th and Saturday the 19th. Get in the water when you can, because there are a lot of flat days in between.
Stay wet.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
344 | 326 | 340 | 1314 | 2850 | 3813 | 1682 | 2154 | 1505 | 1218 | 895 | 498 | 288 | 188 | 103 | 52 | 29 | 18 | 25 | 22 | 39 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:58PM1.38m | 5:30AM1.27m | 5:54PM1.34m | 6:25AM1.30m | 6:50PM1.31m | 7:19AM1.32m | 7:45PM1.29m | 8:11AM1.34m | 8:37PM1.28m | 8:59AM1.34m | 9:26PM1.27m | 9:46AM1.32m | 10:12PM1.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:44AM-0.04m | 11:19PM0.07m | 11:43AM-0.01m | 00:17AM0.11m | 12:40PM0.03m | 1:11AM0.14m | 1:36PM0.08m | 2:01AM0.17m | 2:31PM0.13m | 2:50AM0.20m | 3:25PM0.16m | 3:37AM0.22m | 4:14PM0.18m | ||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 |
123 | 43 | 340 | 1314 | 2850 | 3813 | 1682 | 1070 | 1505 | 1218 | 895 | 498 | 288 | 188 | 103 | 52 | 29 | 11 | 25 | 10 | 10 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSE 5 | ENE 13 | ENE 9 | NE 13 | ENE 12 | SSW 19 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | NE 10 | E 10 | SSW 15 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | SSW 8 | SE 11 | SW 5 | SE 9 | SE 12 |
344 | 326 | 5 | 17 | 8 | 26 | 15 | 125 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 17 | 8 | 14 | 18 | 3 | 22 | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 13 | — | — | ENE 12 | SE 10 | — | — | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | NE 5 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SE 9 |
21 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 17 | — | — | 14 | 4 | — | — | 7 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 17 | 4 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 2 | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | NE 4 | N 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | NW 4 | — | WNW 3 |
— | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2154 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 15 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 5 | — | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 16 | 4 | 66 | 16 | 76 | 0 | 235 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 88 | 28 | 25 | 37 | 28 | 28 | 4 | 135 |
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.










