
Surf Forecasts:
Castlepoint - The Gap surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, S swell with 5,920 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 2.3m and 12s 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 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 3AM. 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castlepoint - The Gap over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down what’s on the cards for Castlepoint – The Gap. Water temp is 12°, running a bit cooler than the norm for this time of year.
The first few days are a bust. Tuesday the 4th of August afternoon is a total mess: 4.5m of south swell, cross-shore winds at 31 mph, and a massive 5756 energy reading – just a washing machine. Wednesday and Thursday morning aren’t much better; the swell stays over 4.0m, cross-shore winds, energy through the roof. Don’t bother.
Thursday the 6th of August morning is the first real chance. The swell drops to 1.7m from the south, winds go light and cross-off, energy down to 1177. It’s clean, you’ll get a few waves.
Friday the 7th of August is the standout for the first week. The morning has 1.4m of S swell with a 16-second period – proper groundswell, and The Gap is sheltered so it’ll wrap in nicely. Winds are light offshore from the WNW, glassy. The afternoon bumps to 1.9m, still clean, energy at 1715. This is the one to mark.
Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th are still good – 1.5m to 1.2m, moderate offshore winds, energy dropping to 486. Clean but fading. Monday the 10th is small and messy, 1.0m, and Tuesday the 11th sees 2.2m from the SE with onshore wind – not great.
Second week gets serious. Saturday the 15th of August has 2.5m from the ESE, light offshore wind, energy 1478 – clean and punchy. But the real standout is Sunday the 16th of August morning: 3.5m from the east, 10-second period, light offshore WNW winds, energy 4811. That’s big, powerful, and only for experienced surfers. Monday the 17th morning has 2.5m from the east with glassy conditions – still excellent for experienced riders. The energy is 2210, so plenty of push.
The 18th brings 4.5m from the SE but it’s flagged as too big for the break, so leave it.
Best bets: Friday the 7th of August for clean, long-period groundswell, and Sunday the 16th of August for serious, powerful waves for the experienced crew.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Thu morning, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SE 10 | SE 12 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
5750 | 5723 | 4518 | 4340 | 1688 | 683 | 582 | 768 | 935 | 1407 | 715 | 617 | 467 | 381 | 300 | 255 | 418 | 231 | 812 | 879 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 9:44PM1.23m | 10:02AM1.27m | 10:32PM1.26m | 10:50AM1.34m | 11:20PM1.29m | 11:40AM1.40m | 00:09AM1.31m | 12:32PM1.45m | 1:01AM1.32m | 1:27PM1.48m | 1:57AM1.31m | 2:22PM1.51m | 2:56AM1.30m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:30PM0.16m | 4:05AM0.16m | 4:22PM0.13m | 4:51AM0.13m | 5:13PM0.10m | 5:37AM0.09m | 6:03PM0.06m | 6:24AM0.05m | 6:54PM0.02m | 7:12AM0.01m | 7:45PM-0.01m | 8:04AM-0.02m | 8:39PM-0.03m | |||||||
— | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | |
5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | |
mm | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | -5 | -5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | NE 12 | — | S 12 | SSE 11 | S 11 | SE 10 | SE 12 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 10 | NE 8 | SSE 9 |
6 | 6 | — | 3221 | 1230 | 683 | 582 | 768 | 935 | 1407 | 715 | 617 | 467 | 381 | 300 | 255 | 418 | 231 | 10 | 727 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 12 | SE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSE 15 | S 18 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | E 12 | E 12 | SSW 15 | SE 12 |
— | — | — | — | 669 | 348 | 400 | 200 | 320 | 298 | 171 | 34 | 42 | 25 | 139 | 229 | 11 | 11 | 23 | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SE 16 | SE 12 | SE 14 | S 13 | SSW 10 | NE 16 | SSE 16 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NE 13 | S 16 | E 12 | NE 5 | NE 7 | E 12 | SSW 16 |
— | — | — | — | 67 | 146 | 74 | 55 | 128 | 10 | 193 | 23 | 21 | 7 | 47 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 24 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | — | S 5 | SSE 8 | S 9 |
5750 | 5723 | 4518 | 4340 | 1688 | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 31 | 812 | 879 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 278 | 273 | 102 | 169 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 66 | 137 | 66 |
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.











