Rangiwhakaoma / Castlepoint

Castlepoint, Rangiwhakaoma, centres on The Gap, a sand A-frame that breaks inside a reef-enclosed lagoon just south of the lighthouse. Swell squeezes through a gap in the rocks and the curve of the beach bends it into long, sometimes barrelling walls. Because the reef shelters it on three sides it stays clean when the open coast is blown out, paired with a NW offshore it is the pick of a bad-wind day, but it needs a solid SE swell to push through the gap to size. Just north at Whakataki, Slipperies is the area's proper reef, a left over rock for experienced surfers. The Gap suits all levels on its day, though the inlet is small and it gets crowded fast.

It is a 50-minute drive east of Masterton on a sealed road, ending at one of the most photogenic spots on the coast: the 1913 lighthouse on its causeway, Castle Rock rising behind, fur seals on the reef and a sheltered lagoon for the kids. The settlement has a store, a holiday park and seasonal food, so it works as a day trip or a weekend, though the nearest fuel is back in Masterton. For a surf-and-explore mission, Castlepoint is hard to beat.

• Check the famous cam before the drive from Masterton, because smaller swells just do not push through the gap and you want to confirm the SE swell has real size before committing.
• Make Slipperies your call if you want a reef wave away from the lagoon crowd, the left over rock at Whakataki just to the north suiting experienced surfers when The Gap is packed.
• Time your trip so a poor-wind forecast on the open coast becomes the reason to come, since this is the spot that stays clean when everywhere else is ruined.
• Make a day of the lighthouse whether you surf or not, with the causeway walk, Castle Rock, the seals and the lagoon all there for the family.

• The reef walls that form the gap, along with the Slipperies reef to the north, are unforgiving rock, so learn the layout from the beach before you paddle out.
• The Gap is a tight, enclosed peak that draws a crowd on a good swell, and in such a small inlet that crowd can be as dangerous as the rocks, so know your priority and keep your head up.
• On a bigger swell water funnels through the narrow opening and pushes a current right through the inlet, so factor that drift into your paddle and your positioning.
• A couple of rips run along the beach south of the inlet, so read the water and pick your entry before you go in.
• Rogue waves wash across the exposed reef platform, catching people walking or paddling near the rocks, so never turn your back on the sea out there.

Getting there

About 50 minutes (around 65 km) east of Masterton on the sealed Masterton-Castlepoint Road, ending at the township and Jetty Road. Roughly 2.5 hours from Wellington. You can park at the road end or drive onto the sand and turn south to The Gap.

Parking

Sealed carpark at the road end on Jetty Road, plus you can drive onto the beach to reach The Gap. Busy on summer weekends and during events.

Toilets & showers

Public toilets at the road-end carpark and by the store. Showers, communal kitchen and laundry at Castlepoint Holiday Park & Motels.

Shops, cafes & fuel

Castlepoint Store and seasonal cafe and tearooms on the beachfront. No fuel at Castlepoint, the nearest petrol is Masterton about 50 minutes west, so fill up before you come.

Accommodation

Castlepoint Holiday Park & Motels (powered and non-powered sites, cabins, motel units) on the beachfront, plus a strong supply of baches and Airbnb in this established holiday village.

Camping

Camping is only permitted at the holiday park. The Castlepoint Scenic Reserve bans camping, so do not plan to stay in the reserve carpark.