Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Issued: 11 am 26 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
13.7° 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 26 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 1 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 30 Jun, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SSE swell with 1,112 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 1 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 01) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 16 days are 1.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jun 30) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jul 03) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Wed 1st Jul)4ft (1.2m) 15s
Best Surf12AM (Wed 1st Jul)4ft (1.2m) 15s
Most Powerful 6AM (Tue 30th Jun)4.5ft (1.4m) 17s

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 26mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Fri night, strong winds from the S by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue night).

Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
3
3
1
2
3
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SSE
10
1.9
E
10
2
E
11
1.8
E
11
1.7
ESE
10
2
ESE
10
2.1
ESE
10
1.9
ESE
10
1.4
E
10
1.6
ESE
10
1.9
SE
9
1.8
SE
9
1.4
SSE
17
1.4
SSE
16
1.2
SSE
15
1.4
ESE
11
1.3
ESE
10
1.2
E
10
1.3
E
11
1.2
E
11
1.2
E
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
481
710
935
734
622
820
850
746
408
512
599
505
1048
950
604
452
356
296
403
345
364
Wind (km/h)
25
S
10
S
10
SE
10
SSW
25
S
20
S
25
S
25
S
35
SSW
30
S
35
S
25
SSE
15
S
15
SSE
5
SSE
5
NW
5
E
10
NW
10
NW
10
E
10
NW
Wind State
on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
3:11PM1.82m
3:22AM1.78m
3:55PM1.77m
4:08AM1.72m
4:43PM1.73m
4:57AM1.67m
5:37PM1.71m
5:47AM1.66m
6:30PM1.71m
6:38AM1.67m
7:19PM1.74m
7:29AM1.70m
8:04PM1.78m
Low Tide
9:20PM0.73m
9:37AM0.63m
10:07PM0.76m
10:23AM0.65m
10:55PM0.78m
11:12AM0.68m
11:49PM0.80m
12:01PM0.69m
00:44AM0.80m
12:50PM0.70m
1:36AM0.78m
1:38PM0.69m
2:23AM0.75m
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<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>
4:53
4:53
4:54
4:54
4:55
4:55
4:57
 mm
4
3
3
7
2
2
5
3
1
1
Temp °C
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
12
12
13
13
12
12
12
12
12
11
11
11
10
Feels °C
9
13
13
11
10
11
9
9
4
5
7
7
8
8
9
10
10
8
9
8
7
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
E
10
1.9
E
10
2
E
11
1.8
E
11
1.7
ESE
10
2
ESE
10
2.1
ESE
10
1.9
ESE
10
1.4
E
10
1.6
ESE
10
1.9
SE
9
1.8
SE
9
1.8
ESE
9
1.8
ESE
9
1.6
ESE
10
1.4
ESE
11
1.3
ESE
10
1.2
E
10
1.3
E
11
1.2
E
11
1.2
E
11
Energy kJ
369
710
935
734
622
820
850
746
408
512
599
505
497
516
435
452
356
296
403
345
364
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
ENE
10
1.2
SSE
11
0.9
SSE
11
0.7
SSE
10
0.5
SSE
9
0.9
SSE
17
0.9
SSE
16
0.9
SSE
16
0.6
SSE
14
0.4
SSE
12
0.4
SSE
12
0.7
SSE
18
1.4
SSE
17
1.4
SSE
16
1.2
SSE
15
0.9
SSE
14
0.9
SSE
14
0.6
SSE
12
0.8
SSE
15
0.8
SSE
14
0.5
SSE
14
Energy kJ
983
356
209
106
49
433
362
441
156
51
47
333
1048
950
604
356
261
113
246
236
105
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSE
18
0.7
S
8
0.2
S
19
0.1
S
18
0.5
SSE
15
0.7
S
10
0.6
S
10
0.1
N
11
Energy kJ
110
58
30
6
128
92
68
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SSE
10
3
ENE
10
1.1
SSW
9
1.3
SSE
6
0.9
SSW
8
1.3
S
6
1.6
SSE
7
1.3
SSE
7
1.7
S
7
1.4
S
7
2.3
SE
9
1
S
7
Energy kJ
481
1544
225
118
83
123
206
163
303
205
823
106
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
4
4
3
3
4
1
1
2
3
2
2
4
4
3
3
3
2
3
3
2
Distance (km)
97
46
43
10
43
42
113
113
118
119
118
118
42
44
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
5
5
6
5
5
4
4
6
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
7
5
6
6
8
7
5
5
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
  • 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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