Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 22s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 19s period, SSE swell with 2,696 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 22s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 22s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 14s. 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 1.9m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 22s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 22s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Sponge Bay’s got a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, but there’s some real juice if you time it right. The water’s sitting at 56.3° – a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget a warmer spring suit. The break itself is a beach-and-reef setup, fairly consistent, and it’s exposed enough to pick up most swells. Crowds are possible, but nothing too hectic. The optimum swell direction is SSE, which we’ll see a good dose of.
Let’s start with the first window. Saturday morning, July 18 – clean conditions with a light NW cross-off breeze, 4.3ft of ESE swell coming in at 14 seconds. The combined energy is 932 – solid moderate, with a nice push. That’s a great all-rounder for a beginner to intermediate session, waves are clean and the size is friendly. The afternoon gets questionable with a shifting wind, so make the most of the morning.
Sunday morning, July 19 – now we’re talking. Swell builds to 4.9ft from the SSE (right on the optimum direction), period stretches to a very long 18 seconds – that’s groundswell with serious grunt. Combined energy jumps to 1734, strong. Wind is WNW cross-off, so the face stays clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers – the long period means better shape and more power, but it might wall up on the beach section; the reef part should handle it nicely. The afternoon gets blown out by a strong onshore breeze, so grab the early session.
Things drop off after that. Monday July 20 through to Thursday July 24 is mostly poor – onshore winds, small weak swell, or messy conditions. There’s a little window Wednesday morning July 22 with 3.0ft SSE, 13s, light NW cross-off, energy 299 – that’s surfable but ordinary, only worth it if you’re desperate. Friday July 24 and Saturday July 25 are a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds. Sunday July 26 sees near gale
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSE 21 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 732 | 586 | 2124 | 1377 | 908 | 540 | 487 | 1133 | 2558 | 1310 | 856 | 453 | 253 | 184 | 119 | 69 | 38 | 56 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:21PM2.12m | 9:45AM2.01m | 10:13PM2.11m | 10:36AM2.00m | 11:02PM2.08m | 11:25AM1.98m | 11:47PM2.03m | 12:13PM1.94m | 00:29AM1.96m | 12:59PM1.88m | 1:10AM1.87m | 1:42PM1.82m | 1:52AM1.78m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:01PM0.47m | 3:41AM0.52m | 3:54PM0.50m | 4:31AM0.53m | 4:45PM0.54m | 5:19AM0.54m | 5:32PM0.59m | 6:06AM0.56m | 6:19PM0.64m | 6:49AM0.58m | 7:05PM0.70m | 7:32AM0.62m | 7:52PM0.75m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — |
 | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 10 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSE 21 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 732 | 586 | 2124 | 1377 | 908 | 540 | 487 | 1133 | 2558 | 1310 | 856 | 453 | 253 | 184 | 119 | 69 | 38 | 56 | 3 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ENE 5 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 |
| kJ | 192 | 158 | 514 | 357 | 317 | 230 | 40 | 42 | 100 | 69 | 69 | 44 | 42 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 20 | S 24 | — | — | — | S 5 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | E 4 | E 5 | SSE 13 | ESE 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 8 | 432 | — | — | — | 27 | 161 | 158 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 32 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | S 5 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | N 3 | NE 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 6 | 34 | 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 42 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 42 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 36 | 1 | 12 |
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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