
Surf Forecasts:
Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, S swell with 1,083 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Castlepoint - The Gap in the next 16 days are 1.9m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Castlepoint – The Gap. We’ve got a bit of a slow start here, but the long-range is packin’ a punch. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothin’ wild goin’ on there.
Straight up, the first real standout is Monday the 14th of September. Glassy conditions in the morning – I’m talkin’ dead calm, zero wind from the NNW. You’re lookin’ at chest-to-head high swell, around 6ft, from the south, with a nice 12-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, givin’ you some real shape. The combined energy is strong, sittin’ at (1088). This spot is a sheltered, fairly consistent setup, and that ESE optimum swell direction from the guidance is a solid match for this S pulse – it’ll wrap in alright. The Gap can get busy, so expect crowds, but for that quality, it’s worth it. By the afternoon the wind swings onshore, so make the most of the mornin’.
After that, Tuesday the 15th drops off hard – small, ordinary stuff. Wednesday and Thursday are basically a write-off, with tiny waves and choppy conditions. We’ve got a gap with no real recommendations from Tuesday afternoon all the way through to Friday the 18th afternoon.
Now, Saturday the 19th starts to flicker. The morning is still marginal, but the afternoon brings a change. A fresh 7ft swell from the south, but with a short 7-second period – so it’s a bit lumpy and disorganised. The wind goes offshore from the west though, and the guidance says the spot loves a WNW offshore, so that’s cleanin’ it right up. Combined energy is (789) – solid moderate. It’s surfable, but not a classic.
Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st are pretty average – the wind gets messy.
Now, here’s the one that’s got me excited. Thursday the 24th of September. We’ve got a 3ft swell from the SSW, but listen to this – a period of 19 seconds. That is a very, very long period groundswell. The combined energy is strong (908). The wind is offshore from the NW (moderate) all morning and afternoon, so the face will be clean with only a light wind bump. The Gap is a point/reef setup, so it will handle that long period beautifully, spittin’ out some long, hollow lines. This is expert territory at that size, but the shape will be epic. This is your absolute best window.
Friday the 25th hangs in there with offshore wind and a 4ft, 14-second swell from the south, moderate energy (774). It’s a bit smaller and the wind is a touch stronger, but still a very good session.
Then we roll into the weekend of the 27th. Sunday the 27th of September – another big one. Morning brings a solid 8ft swell from the south, 12-second period, with a gentle offshore from the WNW. Combined energy is high, at (1648). That’s a lot of water movin’. This is for experienced surfers only. Expect a powerful, heavy wave at The Gap. The wind stays glassy and offshore. The only let-down is that the crowds will be there, maybe even more so because the forecast looks so good.
After that, Monday the 28th and Tuesday the 29th offer small, clean waves for beginners, with the Tuesday morning going glassy again, 4ft from the south, but a shorter period windswell. Good for a longboard if the crowds thin out.
So, in short: Monday 14th morning is your early-week hero for clean, solid waves. But if you want the absolute best shape, lock in Thursday 24th or Sunday 27th – that long-period stuff at The Gap is a thing of beauty.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 8 | S 7 | SSE 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1083 | 805 | 515 | 262 | 203 | 74 | 48 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 45 | 507 | 506 | 353 | 174 | 371 | 346 | 435 | 299 | 273 | 186 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 7:45PM1.29m | 8:11AM1.34m | 8:37PM1.28m | 8:59AM1.34m | 9:26PM1.27m | 9:46AM1.32m | 10:12PM1.25m | 10:31AM1.30m | 10:54PM1.23m | 11:15AM1.27m | 11:35PM1.19m | 11:58AM1.24m | 00:15AM1.15m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:36PM0.08m | 2:01AM0.17m | 2:31PM0.13m | 2:50AM0.20m | 3:25PM0.16m | 3:37AM0.22m | 4:14PM0.18m | 4:23AM0.23m | 5:00PM0.19m | 5:06AM0.23m | 5:43PM0.18m | 5:46AM0.23m | 6:22PM0.17m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 11 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 8 | SE 13 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
1083 | 805 | 515 | 262 | 203 | 74 | 48 | 24 | 33 | 50 | 45 | 102 | 134 | 353 | 106 | 371 | 346 | 435 | 299 | 273 | 186 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | S 9 | SSW 8 | S 8 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ENE 6 | SE 9 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 7 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
5 | 5 | 7 | 91 | 21 | 39 | 23 | 12 | 34 | 41 | 38 | 25 | 41 | 169 | 150 | 133 | 46 | 84 | 58 | 58 | 31 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 11 | E 10 | NE 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | S 8 | NE 12 | SE 9 | NE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SE 6 | SE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 9 | NE 11 |
— | — | 2 | 2 | 7 | 25 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 1 | 5 | 21 | 32 | 49 | 174 | 27 | 99 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NE 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | N 3 | ENE 3 | SSW 8 | S 7 | SSW 7 | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | WNW 3 |
— | — | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 507 | 506 | 123 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 96 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 28 | 16 | 16 | 25 | 0 | 88 | 4 | 16 | 66 | 99 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 1 |
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.










