Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 19 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with 1,738 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty again. Same story, but in feet, inches, and Fahrenheit, so you don't have to do the math.
So, Sponge Bay is looking a bit hit-and-miss for the next couple of weeks. Let’s get into it.
The first real chance to get wet is on the morning of Sunday the 13th. There’s a chest-high swell from the SSE, about 5ft, with a very long 15-second period – that’s a proper groundswell (1175 energy). The water temp is 55°F, which is a bit colder than normal. The wind is a light cross-shore out of the W, so it’s not pristine. The report says it’s “marginal,” so it’s a session for the keen, not a classic.
Your best bet, and the absolute standout of this whole forecast, is Monday the 14th morning. The swell settles to a clean 5ft from the SSE, with a 12-second period. But the real magic is the wind – a whisper-light offshore from the NNW at 3 mph. That’s going to make Sponge Bay glassy smooth. The report says “expect very good surf conditions” and I agree. Wave energy is still moderate (751). After that, it fades fast. Tuesday the 15th is small at 3ft, and by Wednesday the 16th, you’re looking at knee-high dribble.
The middle of the week is a dead zone. Days of tiny surf and bad wind. Not much to say.
Friday the 18th gives you a little bump: a 3ft ESE swell with a 13-second period, and gentle offshore breezes. Clean, but small. It’s a paddle, but don’t expect barrels. Saturday the 19th afternoon has a spike to 5ft, but the period is a short 7 seconds and the wind is cross-shore. That’s going to be bumpy and weak.
Now, look out for Tuesday the 22nd. The swell jumps up to 8ft in the morning and 10ft in the afternoon from the SSE. That is big, expert-only territory. But the wind is a strong cross-onshore, blowing 25-28 mph, and the report calls it “messy.” That is kite-surfing conditions, not a paddle session.
Right at the end of the run on Monday the 28th, you get a tiny, glassy 1ft SSE groundswell with an 18-second period. Offshore winds again, but it’s more of a longboard cruiser than a wave.
So, to sum it up: Monday the 14th morning is your golden window. A clean 5ft set with offshore winds at Sponge Bay. The rest is mostly small, windy, or waiting for the next storm to pass.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | S 14 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 15 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SSE 7 | S 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1167 | 1423 | 650 | 751 | 596 | 353 | 242 | 171 | 101 | 81 | 78 | 49 | 75 | 63 | 154 | 362 | 268 | 180 | 111 | 254 | 1360 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:34PM2.05m | 8:00AM2.01m | 8:14PM2.02m | 8:43AM2.00m | 8:56PM1.97m | 9:25AM1.96m | 9:40PM1.91m | 10:09AM1.91m | 10:25PM1.84m | 10:53AM1.85m | 11:10PM1.78m | 11:39AM1.79m | 11:56PM1.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:23PM0.42m | 1:52AM0.42m | 2:08PM0.44m | 2:32AM0.43m | 2:52PM0.48m | 3:13AM0.47m | 3:37PM0.54m | 3:56AM0.53m | 4:21PM0.61m | 4:43AM0.61m | 5:07PM0.67m | 5:30AM0.69m | 5:56PM0.73m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 15 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 1167 | 911 | 650 | 751 | 596 | 353 | 242 | 171 | 101 | 81 | 78 | 49 | 75 | 63 | 154 | 362 | 268 | 180 | 111 | 82 | 702 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 12 | E 12 | E 10 | E 13 | S 16 | ENE 4 | S 14 | S 13 | ESE 12 | S 14 | S 16 | ESE 9 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | E 7 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 19 | 47 | 2 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 95 | 75 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | NE 15 | E 9 | E 13 | E 9 | E 13 | S 14 | E 12 | E 12 | S 13 | — | — | S 13 | S 12 | S 17 | S 16 | SSE 15 | ENE 7 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 13 | — | — | 14 | 3 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 10 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | NE 4 | NNW 3 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NW 2 | — | SSE 7 | S 9 |
| kJ | — | 1423 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 23 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 22 | 98 | 1 | — | 254 | 1360 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 311 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
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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