
Surf Forecasts:
Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 14,718 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 14s. 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 6.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 20ft (6.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, let’s have a look at what’s shapin’ up for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next couple of weeks. It’s a mixed bag, but there’s a couple of sessions that’ll get you out of bed.
Water temp’s around 54°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year – nothin’ to write home about.
First couple of days are a bit rough. Saturday the 1st has some size, with a 10ft swell out of the SSW (10-second period), but that 22 mph cross-shore wind is makin’ a mess of it. The combined energy is 2174 (moderate), but it’s lumpy. Sunday the 2nd afternoon though, the wind drops to a light offshore, and we get a clean 6ft swell from the S (11-second period). Energy is 1153 (moderate). That’s the first real chance to get wet.
Monday the 3rd keeps it clean – 4ft SSW swell (12-second period) with offshore winds. Gentle in the mornin’, moderate by arvo. Energy around 718-841 (moderate). Good for a beginner or intermediate.
Tuesday the 4th is a whole different story. Swell jumps to 16ft in the mornin’, and 20ft in the arvo, from the SSW with a 14-second period. Combined energy is enormous – 14654 and 24582 (strong to very strong). Wind is cross-off and clean, so the waves will be perfect lookin’. But this is serious, heavy groundswell – only for experts. Tuesday arvo is a standout for the brave.
Wednesday the 5th drops to 10-12ft (S, 12-13 seconds), but the wind goes cross-shore, choppin’ it up a bit. Energy is 2658-3563 (moderate-strong).
Thursday the 6th morning is a beauty – 6ft from the SSE (12-second period) with a light offshore. Clean and glassy. Energy 1393 (moderate).
Now, the one to circle – Friday morning the 7th. We’ve got an 8ft S swell with a 16-second period – that’s a really long period groundswell, full of grunt. Wind is almost nothin’ from the NNW, near glassy. Combined energy is 4050 (strong). The Gap is sheltered and this matches the optimum direction perfectly. It will be clean and powerful. The crowd rating says ‘often’ busy, so you won’t be alone. This is the standout session – don’t sleep on it. Saturday the 8th still has 5-6ft S swell (12-second period) and clean conditions – a nice follow-up.
Then it goes quiet from the 9th to the 13th. Small 3-6ft swells, short periods (8-10 seconds), mostly cross or onshore winds. Energy drops to 300-500 (weak). Not much doin’.
On Friday the 14th – that’s two weeks out – we get another pulse: 10ft S swell (8-9 second period) with clean cross-off winds from the NW. Energy 1233-1464 (moderate). It’s a shorter period, so less power, but still clean and surfable.
The 15th and 16th finish off with strong winds and messy conditions – best to give it a miss.
So here’s the call: Sunday the 2nd arvo and Monday the 3rd are your steady, fun days. Tuesday the 4th is a beast for experts only. But the one to lock in is Friday morning the 7th at Castlepoint - The Gap. Clean, powerful, long-period groundswell, light winds – as good as it gets around here. Expect some company.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 4°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat morning, light winds from the W by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Wed morning, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue morning, calm by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1928 | 2513 | 2541 | 1265 | 835 | 593 | 469 | 461 | 978 | 9043 | 14718 | 9859 | 3557 | 2627 | 993 | 959 | 792 | 596 | 3710 | 3568 | 1759 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | off | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:09PM1.17m | 7:42AM1.10m | 8:01PM1.17m | 8:30AM1.15m | 8:54PM1.20m | 9:16AM1.21m | 9:44PM1.23m | 10:02AM1.27m | 10:32PM1.26m | 10:50AM1.34m | 11:20PM1.29m | 11:40AM1.40m | 00:09AM1.31m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:54PM0.21m | 1:48AM0.21m | 1:44PM0.19m | 2:34AM0.20m | 2:36PM0.18m | 3:20AM0.18m | 3:30PM0.16m | 4:05AM0.16m | 4:22PM0.13m | 4:51AM0.13m | 5:13PM0.10m | 5:37AM0.09m | 6:03PM0.06m | ||||||||
7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | |
— | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 7 | -2 | -1 | -1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 16 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 |
201 | 253 | 2541 | 1265 | 835 | 593 | 469 | 461 | 978 | 5611 | 9864 | 5505 | 3557 | 2627 | 993 | 959 | 792 | 596 | 3710 | 3568 | 1759 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSW 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | — | — | NE 12 | NE 12 | ESE 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 14 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 12 |
33 | 174 | 181 | 165 | 309 | 218 | 297 | 190 | 87 | — | — | 6 | 6 | 31 | 944 | 422 | 214 | 15 | 330 | 134 | 74 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 18 | E 10 | NE 16 | SE 13 | NE 15 | NE 15 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | NE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 11 | NE 18 | NE 18 | S 18 | NE 16 | — | NE 4 |
12 | 18 | 10 | 144 | 9 | 8 | 75 | 67 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 12 | 12 | 25 | 10 | — | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | S 11 | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | — | SSW 5 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 |
1928 | 2513 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 35 | 9043 | 14718 | 9859 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 102 | 102 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 102 | 183 | 102 | 1 | 137 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 88 | 0 |
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.











