
Surf Forecasts:
Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 6,718 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 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) 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 Saturday (Aug 01) 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 | 12PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here again. Let's break down the surf at Castlepoint - The Gap.
It’s a slow burner, but there’s a couple of real gems hiding in this forecast if you’re willing to wait out the rubbish.
We start off on Thursday, 30th July, and it’s a no-go. There’s a 5ft swell from the ESE with a 12-second period, but a cross-off wind at 15 mph from the NNW is just ruining it. The combined energy is weak at 628. Don’t bother paddling out.
Friday, 31st July, is worse. The swell drops to 3ft and 2ft, and while the wind is offshore from the WNW, it’s a solid 18-25 mph. That’s too strong to get into anything.
The first real event is Saturday, 1st August. A big, raw 10ft SW groundswell hits with a 10-11 second period, but the wind is a strong cross-off and cross-shore at 22 mph. It’s lumpy, messy, and the combined energy is massive (2317-3380). This is a kite-surfing day, not a paddle session. Way too big and blown out.
Now, here’s the one you’ve been waiting for. Sunday, 2nd August, is the standout. The swell drops to a much more manageable 7ft, still from the S/SSE with an 11-second period, and the wind goes offshore and light. Sunday morning we have a gentle WNW breeze at 9 mph, and by the afternoon it’s glassy – just 3 mph offshore from the west. The water temp is about 54°, which is pretty average for the time of year, so you’ll want a steamer. The combined energy is moderate (1082-1558), so there’s plenty of push without being scary. The Gap is a sheltered spot, and with clean conditions like that, it’ll be a ripper session.
Monday, 3rd August, stays clean with a fresh offshore WNW wind at 18 mph, but the swell drops to 6ft, and the period stretches to 13 seconds. It’s surfable, but the wind is a bit strong for easy paddling.
Tuesday, 4th August, is another beast. A massive 13ft SSW swell with a 14-second period gives us a combined energy of 9419. That’s some serious power. The wind is cross-off at 18-25 mph, so it’s going to be a wild, raw ocean. This is strictly for experts only. The crowds are listed as “often” at The Gap, so you won’t be alone.
The rest of the first week stays active with 7-8ft swell, but the wind stays cross or cross-off, so it’s never as clean as that Sunday.
Looking into the second week, there’s another good window on Saturday, 8th August. You’ll get an 8ft SE swell with a 9-second period, and the wind is glassy – absolutely calm in the morning. The combined energy is decent at 1032. This is a solid, clean option. By Sunday, 9th August, the swell drops to 3ft, and the wind swings onshore, so it fades fast.
The final days, from the 10th to the 14th of August, are mostly poor. The wind is onshore or cross-on, and the swell is small or messy. There’s a brief moment on Tuesday, 11th August, with a 3ft NE swell and glassy conditions, but it’s very ordinary.
So, to sum it up: the first real winner is Sunday, 2nd August – circle that one. Clean, manageable swell, and light winds. The second one to watch is Saturday, 8th August, with glassy conditions and a bit more size. The rest of the forecast is mostly waiting for the wind to cooperate.
Hang tight, and you’ll get your share.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 4°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Fri night, light winds from the WNW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 6°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 11 | SE 15 | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 17 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
505 | 383 | 259 | 158 | 114 | 109 | 2084 | 2425 | 2502 | 1137 | 1066 | 691 | 928 | 618 | 4372 | 6278 | 3980 | 2548 | 1654 | 1347 | 890 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | off |
High Tide | 5:31PM1.18m | 6:07AM1.06m | 6:19PM1.17m | 6:55AM1.07m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:21AM0.25m | 00:12AM0.26m | 12:07PM0.23m | 1:01AM0.23m | 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 | ||||||||
7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
— | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
Feels °C | 7 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 6 | -2 | -2 | -3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 16 | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
505 | 383 | 259 | 158 | 114 | 57 | 201 | 754 | 2502 | 1137 | 1066 | 691 | 928 | 618 | 4372 | 3135 | 3980 | 2548 | 1654 | 1347 | 890 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | NE 7 | NE 8 | SE 15 | E 10 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SSE 14 | NE 15 | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | S 15 | S 15 | NE 4 |
121 | 77 | 34 | 62 | 46 | 109 | 18 | 176 | 181 | 277 | 9 | 216 | 247 | 166 | 85 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 548 | 291 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | S 16 | SSW 14 | SE 15 | NE 7 | E 13 | E 12 | NE 16 | SE 13 | S 19 | NE 15 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | NE 13 | — | — | — | NE 12 | NE 11 | SE 17 |
2 | 2 | 20 | 40 | 59 | 8 | 14 | 25 | 10 | 144 | 7 | 8 | 38 | 64 | 7 | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 46 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NNE 3 | NW 3 | WNW 4 | WSW 4 | SSW 10 | S 11 | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | WNW 2 | — | SSW 14 | — | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 |
3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 19 | 40 | 2084 | 2425 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 6278 | — | — | — | 11 | 16 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 28 | 28 | 88 | 16 | 143 | 183 | 102 | 273 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 16 | 88 | 1 | 99 | 194 | 167 | 102 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










