Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 16 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
12.9°C
1.2° 

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 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with 3,931 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Wed 16th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 9s
Best Surf12AM (Mon 21st Sep)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Most Powerful12PM (Mon 21st Sep)13ft (4.0m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here again, this time in feet and miles for the imperial crew.

Let’s break down what Sponge Bay has for us.

First up, it’s a slow start. From Wednesday the 16th through the weekend, it’s all small, weak surf. Waves around 2ft to 3ft from the SE, with light winds. The energy is weak (around 123 to 134). Nothing to get excited about.

Thursday the 17th afternoon cleans up a bit with a gentle offshore wind from the north, but still only 2ft from the SE. The energy is low (112). It’s clean, but small.

Friday the 18th is rubbish. Onshore winds and rain spoil any chance. The swell holds at 3ft from the ESE with a 12-second period – that period could shape up nicely, but the wind and rain ruin it. Energy is moderate (194 to 200). Not worth a trip.

Saturday the 19th brings a rise in swell to 5ft to 6ft from the SSW, but the period is a weak 6 to 7 seconds. The energy (470 to 560) is moderate, but the winds are cross to cross-on. It’s messy.

Sunday the 20th is lumpy. Swell hits 7ft from the south with an 8-second period, but fresh cross-onshore winds make it choppy. Energy is moderate to strong (563). Kite surfers might have fun here, but paddle surfers will struggle.

The big one – Monday the 21st of September. The morning brings a solid 12ft south swell with a 12-second period. The combined energy is massive at 5207 – that’s very strong. Winds are light cross-offshore from the northwest. This is for experienced surfers only. The waves will be powerful, and at a beach and reef setup, they’ll be breaking hard. The offshore wind will keep it clean. This is the best session of the forecast.

The afternoon drops to 7ft from the SSE with moderate cross-offshore wind. Still clean, but energy drops to 1068. Still good for a paddle.

Tuesday the 22nd goes back to small, weak surf (2ft to 2ft) with clean winds and almost no energy (77 to 105). Small-wave board fun.

From the 23rd through the 29th, it’s mostly poor. Onshore winds and short period swell dominate. There’s a bright spot on the morning of the 27th: a clean 3ft swell from the ESE with a long 13-second period and moderate energy (268). That’s a clean, lined-up session. Crowds are possible here sometimes.

Another standout on the 30th of September. The morning offers 8ft from the SSE with a 13-second period and huge energy at 4107. Light offshore wind from the north. That’s excellent, clean, powerful surf for experienced surfers. The swell direction matches the optimum SSE. The afternoon sees 10ft from the south, but it’s too big for most.

The first of October fades to small, clean waves (3ft to 4ft) with moderate energy.

Bottom line: the first week is small and messy, with one big Monday the 21st for the experts. The second week has another gem on the 30th. Beginners should stick to the small, clean days around the 22nd or the 27th morning.

Water temp is 55°F, which is about 2°F colder than normal. A thick wetsuit is essential.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sun morning, light winds from the NW by Mon morning).

Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
!
!
2
2
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SE
9
0.7
SE
9
0.9
SE
12
0.8
ESE
10
0.7
SE
10
0.6
ESE
11
0.8
ESE
12
0.8
ESE
12
0.7
SE
12
1.8
SSW
6
1.6
S
7
0.6
ESE
11
0.5
ESE
11
2
S
8
3.5
S
11
3.5
S
12
2
SSE
12
1.3
SSE
11
0.7
SE
7
0.6
SE
7
0.4
SE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
103
81
199
127
94
85
190
174
135
271
240
95
68
522
3273
3298
1041
397
46
35
36
Wind (km/h)
5
WNW
10
E
15
WNW
20
NW
15
N
10
N
15
SSE
30
S
25
SW
10
W
10
SE
30
WNW
20
SW
30
SSW
20
WSW
5
NW
20
ENE
15
WNW
10
NNW
10
ENE
15
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
9:25AM1.96m
9:40PM1.91m
10:09AM1.91m
10:25PM1.84m
10:53AM1.85m
11:10PM1.78m
11:39AM1.79m
11:56PM1.72m
12:25PM1.75m
00:45AM1.67m
1:14PM1.73m
1:39AM1.65m
2:07PM1.72m
2:43AM1.66m
Low Tide
3:37PM0.54m
3:56AM0.53m
4:21PM0.61m
4:43AM0.61m
5:07PM0.67m
5:30AM0.69m
5:56PM0.73m
6:17AM0.76m
6:47PM0.77m
7:06AM0.81m
7:43PM0.79m
7:59AM0.83m
8:41PM0.79m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:05
6:03
6:01
6:01
5:58
5:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:02
 mm
4
9
2
1
Temp °C
13
14
12
17
17
15
12
12
11
12
13
15
16
10
9
13
15
11
16
20
17
Feels °C
11
11
9
13
14
11
10
7
6
9
10
11
12
3
3
8
12
6
12
18
14
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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