
Surf Forecasts:
Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with 3,385 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s period with ESE 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 (Jul 26) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m 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 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) 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 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s take a look.
We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up for The Gap at Castlepoint over the next couple of weeks. The standout window is Tuesday, July 28th, and the early part of the week looks solid too. The water's sitting at 54.7°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.
The first wave of proper swell hits Sunday morning the 26th. It’s a bit disorganised with a short 8-second period and moderate energy (1046), but the wind is light and cross-off, keeping the surface clean. Swell is 6.2ft from the S, but the optimum direction here is ESE, so it's a bit off angle.
Monday the 27th looks marginal. The morning has 4.9ft ESE swell at a decent 13 seconds, and the cross-off wind will keep it clean, but the energy is high (1257) for the size, suggesting it might be a bit fat or tide-dependent. The afternoon drops off with a cross wind that brings a chop, so not the best.
Now, Tuesday, July 28th is the pick of the forecast. You’ve got a clean 7.2ft ESE groundswell pushing in with a solid 13-second period, strong energy (1712), and a light offshore wind out of the W during the morning. This is going to be proper, lined-up waves, particularly as the optimum direction matches. Just keep in mind the water temp is nothing special, and with 'often' crowds, you won’t be alone. This one is for the competent surfer – that size is more than enough to separate the pack.
Wednesday the 29th still has rideable shoulders. The morning session offers a clean 5.9ft at 13 seconds with a cross-off breeze. The energy is still moderate (1085), so a second good day for a paddle, just a notch down from Tuesday.
Then it fades. Thursday and Friday drop in size and quality, with the wind staying cross-off but the energy sinking fast. By the weekend, August 1st and 2nd, a strong S swell hits (13.1ft on Saturday afternoon), but with a howling 25 mph cross wind and messy conditions, it’s a write-off for paddle surfing. That kind of setup is more for the kites out there.
Into the second week, we see a bit of a pulse around Wednesday, August 5th morning – a clean 3.6ft S swell at 12 seconds with light cross-off wind (591 energy). It's acceptable but nothing to write home about. Friday, August 7th afternoon also has a clean 3.6ft SE swell with a moderate offshore wind (418 energy), a decent little session if you're desperate.
After that, it trickles away to very small clean surf, barely pushing 2.6ft. There is no standout in the second week. The best of this whole forecast is without a doubt Tuesday, July 28th.
Stay safe out there.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 10°C on Mon afternoon, min 4°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | E 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | NE 7 | E 11 | SE 14 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
435 | 407 | 431 | 703 | 878 | 1494 | 1648 | 1575 | 1306 | 1060 | 820 | 661 | 486 | 383 | 254 | 268 | 151 | 127 | 811 | 2707 | 2749 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 2:41PM1.29m | 3:05AM1.14m | 3:22PM1.26m | 3:50AM1.11m | 4:03PM1.23m | 4:35AM1.08m | 4:46PM1.21m | 5:20AM1.07m | 5:31PM1.18m | 6:07AM1.06m | 6:19PM1.17m | 6:55AM1.07m | 7:09PM1.17m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:02PM0.27m | 9:04AM0.29m | 9:46PM0.28m | 9:49AM0.29m | 10:32PM0.29m | 10:35AM0.27m | 11:21PM0.28m | 11:21AM0.25m | 00:12AM0.26m | 12:07PM0.23m | 1:01AM0.23m | 12:54PM0.21m | 1:48AM0.21m | ||||||||
7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 12 | 13 | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
Feels °C | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 1 | -1 | -2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | E 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 13 |
291 | 221 | 160 | 703 | 878 | 1494 | 1648 | 1575 | 1306 | 1060 | 820 | 661 | 486 | 383 | 254 | 110 | 95 | 74 | 245 | 255 | 326 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | S 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ESE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 16 |
214 | 407 | 431 | 203 | 26 | 56 | 64 | 64 | 40 | 20 | 42 | 221 | 121 | 78 | 58 | 205 | 151 | 86 | 55 | 31 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSW 14 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SE 10 | — | — | — | — | S 16 | SSW 11 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 15 | SE 14 | NE 7 | NE 9 | — |
106 | 39 | 37 | 22 | 23 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 23 | 82 | 127 | 7 | 22 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 | S 7 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NE 4 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NW 3 | SW 4 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 |
435 | 328 | 88 | 329 | 258 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 31 | 268 | 2 | 4 | 811 | 2707 | 2749 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 99 | 0 | 16 | 137 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 55 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 76 | 102 | 102 |
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.










