Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SSE swell with 1,902 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. 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 2.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty, and here's how the surf's looking at Sponge Bay.
Alright, the outlook is a mixed bag to be honest. The best waves are on Monday the 31st, but there's a lot of small stuff before and after it. If you're keen, you'll have to pick your windows carefully.
The water temp at Sponge Bay is currently 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll want that steamer.
The week starts off Thursday the 27th with a small 3ft SSE swell from the south-southeast, but it's cross-on with a light wind, so it's pretty average. Friday the 28th cleans up nicely with a clean offshore breeze, but the swell drops to 4ft from the SE, and the energy is only moderate (580). Saturday and Sunday the 29th and 30th are tiny, with knee-high waves and weak energy (down to 59), so it's not really worth paddling out for.
Now, Monday the 31st is the standout. The morning brings a solid 8ft SSW swell, with a cross-offshore wind making it clean. The wave energy is strong (1291) and the period is a short 9 seconds, which will keep the wave faces a bit more manageable. This is for experienced surfers only, as it's too big for beginners. The morning is the pick, as the afternoon shifts to a cross-on breeze.
Tuesday the 1st of September keeps the size up with 5ft to 7ft from the SSE, but the wind is cross-on, creating a bit of chop. The energy is still strong (1872), but the conditions aren't ideal. After that, the swell drops quickly. Wednesday the 2nd has 4ft, and then it's back to tiny, poor surf from Thursday the 3rd right through to the end of the forecast period on Friday the 11th of September. There's a long stretch of days with nothing over 2ft, so it's pretty flat.
So, your best bet is definitely Monday morning the 31st. It's a clean, powerful swell, but it's not for the faint-hearted.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, strong winds from the S by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SE 14 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSW 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 655 | 928 | 679 | 556 | 299 | 157 | 110 | 104 | 60 | 58 | 81 | 85 | 906 | 980 | 722 | 975 | 1902 | 995 | 525 | 412 | 269 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:51PM1.81m | 6:03AM1.79m | 6:32PM1.89m | 6:45AM1.86m | 7:10PM1.96m | 7:25AM1.92m | 7:46PM2.01m | 8:06AM1.96m | 8:24PM2.02m | 8:46AM1.99m | 9:04PM2.02m | 9:29AM2.00m | 9:48PM1.98m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:26AM0.72m | 00:02AM0.73m | 12:10PM0.65m | 00:46AM0.66m | 12:50PM0.58m | 1:26AM0.59m | 1:30PM0.53m | 2:04AM0.52m | 2:10PM0.50m | 2:42AM0.47m | 2:52PM0.48m | 3:22AM0.44m | 3:36PM0.48m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  | | | | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SE 14 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 8 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 655 | 928 | 679 | 556 | 299 | 157 | 110 | 104 | 60 | 58 | 81 | 85 | 299 | 980 | 722 | 975 | 1902 | 995 | 525 | 412 | 269 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 12 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | SSE 16 | NE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 |
| kJ | 11 | 12 | 60 | 14 | 21 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 34 | 86 | 29 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | ESE 11 | NE 10 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 13 | ESE 14 | SSW 16 | SSE 15 | — | S 6 | — | ENE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | — | — | — | — | SE 13 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 7 | 25 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 28 | 18 | 25 | 22 | — | 2 | — | 15 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | SSW 3 | — | — | SSW 9 | — | — | SSW 12 | — | — | — | WNW 2 | WNW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | 13 | 25 | 52 | 39 | 85 | 95 | 132 | 1 | — | — | 906 | — | — | 897 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 79 | 3 | 44 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 36 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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