Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's talk about the surf at Castlepoint - The Gap. We've got a real mixed bag coming our way over the next couple of weeks, so let's get into it.

The window starts off with a bit of a pulse on Saturday morning, July 11. There's a 6.2ft swell from the ESE with a period of 10 seconds, putting some decent energy in the water (980). The wind is a cross-off from the SW at 9 mph, and combined with the water temp sitting at 55.2° which is about average for this time of year, it's a clean start. The morning session is the pick of the day, but look out – the afternoon turns cross-shore and the surf fades to 4.9ft, so conditions get pretty ordinary.

Sunday morning, July 12, is a real surprise. The swell drops to 2.6ft from the SSW, but here's the thing – it's a long-period groundswell at 13 seconds, and the wind is pure offshore from the WNW at 6 mph. That's a slick combo for a sheltered spot like this, and the energy (428) is moderate but clean. It's a small wave, but the quality will be there for a beginner-friendly session. The afternoon gets a bit mushier with a cross-shore and a 3.3ft S swell.

Then we hit a proper dry spell. From Monday, July 13, right through to the morning of Thursday, July 16, the swell drops to under 3.3ft with weak energy (under 100). The wind is mostly cross-off, but there's just no juice. It's a real lull, four days of barely anything to ride.

Thursday morning, July 16, shows a small pulse – 1.6ft from the E with a 12-second period. The wind goes offshore from the NW at 9 mph, and it's clean, but the energy is weak (110). It's surfable but very ordinary. The afternoon sees a slight bump to 2.0ft with a 15-second period (216 energy), but still not worth getting excited about.

Friday, July 17, picks up a bit. The morning has a 3.9ft ESE swell with a 15-second period (696 energy) and a cross-off wind from the WSW at 16 mph. It's a bit onshore but the long period means there's shape. The afternoon is rougher with the same 16 mph wind from the SW, making it poor. Saturday, July 18, is similar – 4.3ft ESE swell, 14 seconds (627 energy) and a cross-off, but the afternoon brings rain showers and a 19 mph wind from the SSW, creating lumpy chop. Not great.

Now, the real standout comes in the second week. Sunday morning, July 19, is a barnstormer. A 7.9ft swell from the SSE with a short period of 8 seconds (1046 energy) and pure offshore wind from the WNW at 12 mph. That's strong, clean, and punchy – but 7.9ft is getting big, so this is for the experienced crew. The afternoon gets even bigger at 9.8ft (1335 energy) with a 19 mph offshore, but that's proper heavy and the wind is fresh, so only the brave need apply.

Monday, July 20, is the best on offer. Clear skies, offshore wind from the WNW at just 6 mph, and a 9.8ft ESE swell with an 8-second period. The energy is massive at 1726, and it's glassy clean. But – at 9.8ft, this is expert-only territory. Short period means it'll be steep and dumpy, so if you're not on your game, stay out. The afternoon turns cross-onshore, so you want the morning.

The rest of the window stays solid but messy. Tuesday, July 21, has a 6.2ft ESE swell (688 energy) with a light cross-off – clean and fun for intermediates. But Wednesday, July 22, gets ridiculous: a 14.8ft ENE swell with a 12-second period and a combined energy of 9852. The wind is offshore, but the file says it's too big for this break. That's a monster. Thursday, July 23, drops to 8.2ft from the E with a 12-second period, but the wind is onshore, making it a tough call.

Friday, July 24, brings another standout – a 13.1ft S swell with an 11-second period, strong energy (4275), and a cross-off from the N at 9 mph. The file says it's excellent for experienced surfers, but again, 13.1ft is massive. Saturday, July 25, is a 11.5ft S swell with a 10-second period (2533 energy) and a light cross-off, and the file calls it excellent for the experienced. But the best of this late burst is Sunday morning, July 26. A 6.6ft SSE swell with a 9-second period (1503 energy) and glassy conditions – wind from the NNW at 3 mph. That's a clean, powerful wave for the advanced crew, and it's the most user-friendly of the big stuff.

The pick of the entire period? That's Sunday morning, July 19, for the experienced with that clean offshore and solid 7.

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