Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.91° S 176.22° E

Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Castlepoint - The Gap sea temperature is
12.8° C
0.2° 

Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s period, ESE swell with 2,056 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 15s 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. 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 2.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 6AM. 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 21st Jul)6.5ft (2.0m) 15s
Best Surf12PM (Mon 27th Jul)6.5ft (2.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 6AM (Tue 28th Jul)8ft (2.4m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G'day, I'm Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at Castlepoint - The Gap.

A solid run of surf is on the way, but the first few days are a bit of a mixed bag before a couple of proper standouts show up. Tuesday the 21st kicks off with a bang: a solid 7 ft south swell, with a very long period of 15 seconds. The wind is a light, cross-off NNW breeze, so the wave energy is pumping (1802) and conditions are clean. It’s a good session for sure, but that long period means the sets will be a bit spaced out, which is fine for getting in position. Wednesday the 22nd drops right off, with only 3 ft to 4 ft of swell and ordinary conditions. Thursday and Friday are small and poor, with wave energy dropping to 30 on Friday afternoon – not worth paddling out. Saturday the 25th is a write-off, with a 25 mph offshore wind on the morning making it impossible to paddle into, and then a messy 7 ft south-southwest swell in the afternoon. Sunday the 26th is a no-go with onshore wind and lumpy conditions.

Now, here’s where it gets good. For the true standout, look no further than Monday the 27th. The morning brings a 6 ft east-southeast groundswell, with a period of 14 seconds, and a clean, gentle offshore breeze from the west-northwest. The wave energy is huge (1792) and the waves will be well-shaped, fast, and clean. The afternoon is even better: 7 ft east-southeast swell, glassy offshore wind, and energy at 2297. This is the best on offer for experienced surfers – it’s pushing into expert territory, but for those with the skills, it’s magic.

Tuesday the 28th sees a bigger 8 ft east-southeast swell, but it's wrapping in with a cross-shore wind, making it a bit chopped up. Still, there’s heaps of energy (2557). Wednesday the 29th is a step down, with a 6 ft swell and moderate cross-off wind, but it’s clean. From Thursday the 30th, the swell backs off below 5 ft, and conditions turn average with onshore winds returning for the weekend. Sunday the 3rd of August is a monster, with a 18 ft south swell, but it’s simply too big for this break – that’s a solid 12647 energy, but it’s for experts only, and even then, the wind is cross-onshore. The following days are even bigger up to 20 ft, so it’s a washout for normal paddling.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 5°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Sat morning, calm by Sat night).

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
S
17
2
S
15
1.8
S
14
1.4
S
13
0.9
SSW
12
1.1
S
12
0.6
SSW
12
0.5
SSW
12
0.4
SSW
12
0.3
S
10
0.3
S
9
0.2
ESE
12
0.9
NE
6
0.6
ENE
7
2.1
SSW
6
2.2
SSW
8
0.7
SE
14
1.8
S
7
2
SSE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3426
1733
1207
633
244
344
123
83
53
17
15
13
61
31
359
659
215
320
414
Wind (km/h)
0
SW
10
NNW
10
NNW
20
NW
5
W
5
SE
5
NW
15
N
20
NW
25
NNW
20
N
25
N
25
NNW
40
WNW
25
WSW
10
W
10
SE
30
SSE
20
W
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
10:23PM1.36m
10:46AM1.36m
11:13PM1.33m
11:36AM1.35m
00:01AM1.29m
12:26PM1.33m
00:46AM1.26m
1:14PM1.32m
1:32AM1.22m
1:59PM1.30m
2:19AM1.18m
2:41PM1.29m
Low Tide
4:42AM0.05m
5:08PM0.07m
5:30AM0.10m
6:00PM0.13m
6:15AM0.15m
6:48PM0.18m
6:58AM0.21m
7:34PM0.22m
7:39AM0.25m
8:18PM0.25m
8:21AM0.28m
9:02PM0.27m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:31
7:31
7:30
7:30
7:28
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:10
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:14
5:15
 mm
1
1
2
15
12
3
Temp °C
9
9
11
10
11
11
9
12
13
12
14
15
12
10
7
6
6
6
7
Feels °C
6
5
8
6
9
9
7
7
8
7
9
10
8
1
0
1
3
-1
1
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  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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