Surf Forecasts:
Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, S swell with 7,622 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 (Aug 25) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. 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 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down what’s coming for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next couple of weeks. The first decent swell shows up Monday the 24th, so there’s a bit of a wait. Water temp is about 53°F, right around average for the season.
Monday morning the 24th kicks off with a 5ft swell from the SSW, a 14-second period, and a light offshore wind from the NW. Combined wave energy is moderate (990), and conditions will be clean. A good option for beginners. By afternoon, the swell builds to 7ft (SSW, 13 seconds) with a stronger offshore wind at 15 mph. Energy jumps to strong (1464)—worth a look if you’re up for a bit more push.
Tuesday the 25th drops to 4ft in the morning, offshore wind picks up, and the swell sits at 12 seconds. Afternoon gets windy at 22 mph—small and messy. Wednesday the 26th is poor: morning sees 22 mph offshore winds and 3ft swell, making paddling tough. Not a fun session.
Then we get to Thursday the 27th. This is the gem. Morning is glassy—dead calm from the south—and a solid 7ft S swell with a very long 17-second period. Combined energy is massive (2654). That’s a proper groundswell, and the break is sheltered, so it’ll hold well. Afternoon keeps it clean with a 7ft S swell (16 seconds) and light cross-off wind. This is the best day on offer. The long period means longer lulls, but the wave shape will be top-notch. For experienced surfers only, honestly.
Friday the 28th backs off to 5ft, moderate cross-off wind, then 4ft in the afternoon. Average. Saturday the 29th is small with strong afternoon offshore winds—tough paddling. Sunday the 30th is weak, 3ft and 2ft, clean but forgettable.
Monday the 31st has a 5ft SSW swell (14 seconds) and gentle offshore in the morning, going glassy in the afternoon with 4ft. Clean, but not a standout.
Now into September. Tuesday the 1st brings a massive 18ft SSW swell with a 14-second period. Combined energy is astronomical (20143). Wind is offshore, but this is far too big for the break—experts only, and even then, be careful. Wednesday the 2nd drops to 8ft in the morning with 19 mph offshore winds, still big and difficult. Thursday the 3rd is blown out by strong cross-off winds, and Friday the 4th has a 8ft S swell but moderate cross-off wind, marginal at best. After that, the surf fades fast—small and ordinary through the 8th.
So, if you’ve got one day to chase, make it Thursday the 27th of August. That glassy morning with 7ft and 17-second groundswell is the clear winner. Monday the 31st is a decent backup for a smaller, cleaner session.
Expect company at The Gap—crowds are frequent here.
Signing off,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu night, fresh winds from the NNW by Fri afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1467 | 567 | 418 | 605 | 380 | 561 | 376 | 877 | 2641 | 2465 | 1094 | 604 | 413 | 205 | 192 | 146 | 161 | 90 | 57 | 83 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:24AM1.10m | 2:42PM1.22m | 3:09AM1.08m | 3:24PM1.20m | 3:54AM1.07m | 4:09PM1.18m | 4:41AM1.07m | 4:57PM1.18m | 5:30AM1.08m | 5:49PM1.18m | 6:21AM1.12m | 6:43PM1.19m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:20PM0.21m | 8:22AM0.24m | 9:01PM0.22m | 9:06AM0.23m | 9:45PM0.23m | 9:53AM0.22m | 10:35PM0.24m | 10:43AM0.21m | 11:30PM0.24m | 11:34AM0.20m | 00:25AM0.24m | 12:28PM0.19m | 1:16AM0.22m | |||||||
— | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 12 |
1467 | 567 | 418 | 605 | 380 | 561 | 376 | 877 | 2641 | 2465 | 1094 | 604 | 413 | 205 | 192 | 146 | 161 | 90 | 57 | 83 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSW 19 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | — | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 6 | S 7 |
34 | 36 | 17 | 17 | 115 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 12 | — | 29 | 22 | 12 | 51 | 50 | 23 | 21 | 6 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 18 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ESE 12 | — | E 10 | E 10 | — | SE 13 | — | SE 15 | SE 15 | SSW 12 | SE 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ENE 6 |
— | 6 | 1 | 1 | 15 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 7 | — | 9 | 9 | 14 | 27 | 44 | 39 | 22 | 22 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | NNW 4 | — | W 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | — | — | ENE 5 | NE 6 | — | NNW 3 | — | SW 3 | SW 4 | NW 3 | NW 2 | — |
14 | 22 | — | 2 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 8 | — | — | 52 | 62 | — | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 16 | 0 | 88 | 16 | 25 | 0 | 137 | 88 | 104 | 28 | 4 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











