Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Issued: 11 am 23 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
13.8° C

1.3°C colder than average for this time of year

Sponge bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Sponge bay surf forecast from 23 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 23 Jun, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 27 Jun, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SSW swell with 2,882 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 23 Jun, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period with SSE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Sponge bay this week:

The surf forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jun 23) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 16 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jun 27) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Jun 25) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 23rd Jun)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Tue 23rd Jun)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s
Most Powerful12AM (Sat 27th Jun)11ft (3.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, strong winds from the S by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Sat morning).

Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SSE
16
1.3
SSE
15
1
SSE
14
0.8
SSE
13
0.7
SSE
14
0.5
SSE
13
0.4
SSE
14
1.4
E
9
2.1
SSW
9
2.5
SSE
10
3.5
SSW
10
3.5
SSW
11
2.2
SSW
10
1.6
E
11
1.7
ESE
10
1.6
ESE
10
1.4
E
11
1.5
E
10
1.5
E
10
1.6
ESE
10
2.2
ESE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1531
773
347
183
173
101
64
327
677
1175
2392
2882
1071
584
659
511
449
495
459
512
800
Wind (km/h)
10
N
15
NNE
15
N
15
N
30
NE
40
NNE
5
NNW
30
SSW
30
SSW
45
SSW
55
SW
35
WSW
15
WSW
30
SSW
25
SW
35
SW
30
SSW
30
SSW
30
S
25
S
35
S
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
High Tide
12:51PM1.93m
1:09AM2.00m
1:41PM1.90m
1:53AM1.93m
2:27PM1.87m
2:37AM1.85m
3:11PM1.82m
3:22AM1.78m
3:55PM1.77m
4:08AM1.72m
4:43PM1.73m
4:57AM1.67m
5:37PM1.71m
Low Tide
6:56PM0.65m
7:28AM0.58m
7:45PM0.68m
8:12AM0.59m
8:34PM0.70m
8:54AM0.60m
9:20PM0.73m
9:37AM0.63m
10:07PM0.76m
10:23AM0.65m
10:55PM0.78m
11:12AM0.68m
11:49PM0.80m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:52
4:52
4:53
4:53
4:53
4:54
4:54
 mm
6
3
12
3
1
4
2
2
3
1
2
2
4
Temp °C
13
14
13
15
15
14
14
13
13
12
10
11
14
14
13
12
12
12
13
13
12
Feels °C
10
10
9
9
9
7
14
8
6
3
-1
7
10
9
8
5
6
5
7
7
4
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SSE
16
1.3
SSE
15
1
SSE
14
0.8
SSE
13
0.7
SSE
14
0.5
SSE
13
1.2
E
8
1.4
E
9
1.6
SSE
9
1.2
E
10
2.5
SSE
11
2.1
SSE
11
1.6
E
10
1.6
E
11
1.7
ESE
10
1.6
ESE
10
1.4
E
11
1.5
E
10
1.5
E
10
1.6
ESE
10
2.2
ESE
9
Energy kJ
1531
773
347
183
173
101
195
327
422
273
1410
1124
562
584
659
511
449
495
459
512
800
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
ENE
8
0.1
E
8
0.5
ENE
4
0.1
E
12
0.5
E
10
0.3
SSE
14
0.9
E
9
1.4
E
10
1.5
E
12
1.2
SSE
11
1.2
SSE
6
0.7
SSE
17
0.7
SSE
15
0.7
SSE
15
1
S
6
0.4
SSE
14
0.3
SSE
13
0.3
SSE
17
Energy kJ
12
1
11
3
48
37
123
377
596
343
123
297
231
231
74
67
35
59
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
8
0.4
SSE
14
0.1
S
10
0.7
E
10
0.8
SSE
10
0.6
SSE
9
0.4
SSE
8
0.3
S
18
0.6
SSE
15
0.2
SSE
12
Energy kJ
3
1
64
2
108
123
65
23
60
186
13
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
NE
4
0.9
NE
5
0.7
ENE
5
1.1
ENE
7
1.7
ENE
8
2.2
ENE
9
0.7
SSW
13
2.1
SSW
9
2.5
SSE
10
3.5
SSW
10
3.5
SSW
11
2.2
SSW
10
1.7
SSW
7
0.9
SSW
4
1.1
S
6
1.1
SSW
6
1.6
SSE
7
1.8
SSE
8
1.8
S
8
Energy kJ
6
35
25
99
376
749
184
677
1175
2392
2882
1071
240
28
74
98
261
356
378
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
1
1
3
1
3
3
1
1
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
4
Distance (km)
0
1
0
0
88
294
0
36
42
98
98
57
3
36
43
68
68
68
118
118
121
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
1
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
2
4
4
3
5
4
5
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
7
9
8
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
9
9
7
7
9
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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Information about the Sponge bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Sponge bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Sponge bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Sponge bay 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 (Sponge bay) 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 Sponge bay 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 Gisborne and Mahia? If you are looking for accommodation near Sponge bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Gisborne and Mahia, consider staying in Gisborne which is 8 km (5 miles) away.

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