Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.91° S 176.22° E

Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 31 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Castlepoint - The Gap sea temperature is
11.9°C
0.7° 

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 31 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with 7,384 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s 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 (Sep 01) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 3.5m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s 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 5.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) 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 1.0m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Tue 1st Sep)15ft (4.5m) 12s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 1st Sep)15ft (4.5m) 12s
Most Powerful12PM (Tue 1st Sep)16ft (5.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Castlepoint – The Gap. The water temp’s sitting at 53°F, which is a touch on the cool side, about 1°F below the norm for this time of year, so nothing wild, just a bit of a nudge to get the wetsuit sorted.

The first sniff of decent surf kicks off Monday afternoon, August 31st. It’s a clean 7 ft of swell from the SSW, but the period’s a middling 13 seconds, and the wind is a solid 35 km/h from the W. That’s fresh offshore, so the faces will be clean, but it’s a bit of a wrestling match getting out there. The combined energy is moderate at 1239. Honestly, it’s surfable, but it’s not the standout.

The real standout of this whole window is Tuesday morning, September 1st. The swell jumps to 15 ft from the SSW, with a period of 12 seconds, and the wind is a moderate 25 km/h from the WSW (cross-offshore). The combined energy is strong at 9250. Heads up, though – this is serious size. Over 8 ft, so this is strictly for experienced surfers only. Beginners, sit this one out. The direction is a touch off the optimum, but the power is undeniable. Tuesday afternoon drops a bit to 12 ft from the S, with a 13-second period, lighter wind, and clean conditions. Still a heavy wave, but the quality is there for the crew who know what they’re doing.

Wednesday morning, September 2nd, sees a drop to 6 ft from the S, but the period stretches out to a very long 17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell. The wind is 25 km/h from the WNW, offshore, and clean. Combined energy is 3358, strong. This will be a dream at The Gap – a point break setup, so that long period won’t close out straight. It’s a gem. Wednesday afternoon is still 8 ft from the S with a 15-second period, but the wind stays offshore. Quality, but not quite as crisp as the morning.

Then it fades. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th drop to tiny, weak conditions, and the energy number plummets into the double digits. There’s a big gap of nothing until Tuesday morning, September 8th. That morning, the swell picks back up to 6 ft from the S, with an 11-second period, and the wind turns glassy – 5 km/h from the west. That’s a rare, clean moment. Combined energy is 856, moderate. It’s a decent option for a paddle, but the crowds are often on at The Gap, so expect company.

The second week is quieter. There’s a pulse on Thursday the 10th with 8 ft from the S, but the wind is messy and cross-shore, so it’s lumpy. Another pulse on Friday the 11th, 12 ft from the S, but again, onshore wind and rain showers mess it up. It’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session. The last decent look is Tuesday morning, September 15th – 5 ft from the SSW, a 14-second period, and light cross-offshore wind. The energy is 840, moderate. Not a stand-out, but a pleasant finisher.

Overall, the best on offer is that Tuesday morning, September 1st, for the big, powerful, clean swell – but only if you’ve got the skill. Wednesday morning, September 2nd, is a close second for the long, groundswell perfection. Get in before the lull hits.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 5°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the WNW by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat morning).

Mon
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
!
4
4
4
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
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)
2
SSW
13
3.5
SSW
13
4.5
SSW
12
3.5
S
13
3
S
13
1.8
S
17
2.5
S
15
2
S
13
1.3
S
12
1.1
S
12
0.8
S
11
0.6
S
10
0.4
S
10
0.2
SSW
15
0.4
SSW
10
0.7
SSW
8
0.8
SSW
11
0.5
SSW
11
0.3
SSW
17
0.6
NE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1221
3340
6143
4691
3177
1863
3127
1401
522
341
149
71
30
22
32
72
128
66
57
38
Wind (km/h)
35
W
25
SW
25
WSW
10
WSW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
40
WNW
35
WNW
30
WNW
25
NW
30
NNW
35
W
20
W
15
WNW
15
NW
25
NNW
30
NNW
25
NNW
25
W
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
7:39PM1.22m
8:03AM1.24m
8:33PM1.24m
8:53AM1.31m
9:25PM1.28m
9:42AM1.37m
10:15PM1.30m
10:31AM1.42m
11:03PM1.32m
11:23AM1.45m
11:52PM1.32m
12:17PM1.46m
00:45AM1.30m
Low Tide
2:05AM0.20m
2:21PM0.15m
2:54AM0.17m
3:17PM0.12m
3:42AM0.13m
4:10PM0.07m
4:30AM0.08m
5:01PM0.03m
5:19AM0.03m
5:51PM-0.02m
6:07AM-0.01m
6:40PM-0.05m
part cloud
heavy rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:37
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
 mm
12
2
1
1
Temp °C
15
6
10
11
11
15
15
14
16
18
15
15
16
12
15
15
11
14
15
13
Feels °C
7
1
4
7
6
10
9
6
9
13
11
12
9
6
13
11
6
8
10
6
  • 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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