Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SSE swell with 2,150 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with SE 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s 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 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming up at Sponge Bay.
Alright, it's been a bit flat and messy to start, but hang in there. The real action kicks off on Sunday, September 13th. We've got a proper pulse of swell arriving, with clean conditions on the Sunday morning. Swell heights are hitting 6 ft from the SSE, riding a nice 14-second period. That's got some serious grunt behind it – the combined energy is a solid 1377, making for some powerful waves. The wind is a light breeze out of the WNW, keeping the surface glassy. This is the standout of the whole forecast period, but it's no beginner wave at 6 ft; this is for experienced surfers ready for a punchy day.
The water temperature feels pretty average for this time of year, nothing wild to report.
Monday, September 14th, the swell drops a touch to 5 ft from the SSE, with clean conditions again in the morning thanks to a light breeze out of the North. The energy is still strong at 669. This is another solid option for those in the know.
Things then fade through the middle of the week. Tuesday morning, September 15th, you might find a knee-high wave around 3 ft with glassy conditions, but it's hardly setting the world on fire. Wednesday offers small, clean surf for the absolute longboard, but mostly we're looking at average conditions.
Then there's a big gap. Thursday, September 17th, gets blown out by a fresh 30 km/h cross-onshore wind and lumpy conditions – not worth a look. Friday, the 18th, sees some small, clean waves return with a long-period groundswell, but it's inconsistent and small.
From Saturday, September 19th, right through to the end of the forecast window on September 25th, it's a tough run. We're talking small, weak surf with combined energy barely scraping past 200 on the good days. The wind is often a cross-off, which is clean, but the swell just isn't there to do anything with. The standout is, and remains, that Sunday, September 13th morning session. Don't miss it.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Fri morning, fresh winds from the S by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 16 | SSE 19 | S 18 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 110 | 56 | 44 | 48 | 72 | 169 | 102 | 97 | 280 | 1966 | 1374 | 837 | 604 | 669 | 573 | 347 | 207 | 130 | 94 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:48AM1.81m | 5:18PM1.94m | 5:44AM1.88m | 6:09PM2.01m | 6:33AM1.95m | 6:53PM2.05m | 7:17AM1.99m | 7:34PM2.05m | 8:00AM2.01m | 8:14PM2.02m | 8:43AM2.00m | 8:56PM1.97m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:31PM0.62m | 10:55AM0.51m | 11:34PM0.55m | 11:50AM0.46m | 00:26AM0.48m | 12:37PM0.42m | 1:10AM0.44m | 1:23PM0.42m | 1:52AM0.42m | 2:08PM0.44m | 2:32AM0.43m | 2:52PM0.48m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 5 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 7 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 110 | 56 | 44 | 36 | 25 | 47 | 28 | 97 | 280 | 1966 | 1374 | 837 | 604 | 669 | 573 | 347 | 207 | 130 | 94 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 16 | SSE 19 | S 6 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 12 | E 9 | E 10 | S 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | 7 | 48 | 72 | 27 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 23 | 38 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | ENE 8 | SSE 14 | S 18 | SSE 18 | ENE 8 | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 8 | — | NE 12 | NE 15 | — | NE 4 | E 9 | E 13 | E 12 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 37 | 169 | 102 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | — | 23 | 8 | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | — | — | — | S 5 | — | — | S 7 | S 6 | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | 43 | — | — | 14 | 101 | — | — | 34 | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 44 | 0 | 10 | 177 | 0 | 0 | 121 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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