Sponge bay surf break

Sponge bay surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Monday 02 Feb 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Sponge bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
20.2° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Sponge bay this week:

The surf forecast for Sponge bay over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Feb 04) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 12 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Feb 04) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Feb 03) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 4th Feb)3ft (0.9m) 5s
Best Surf 7AM (Wed 4th Feb)6ft (1.9m) 7s
Most Powerful 7PM (Wed 4th Feb)10ft (3.0m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Mon night, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
SSE
0.4
SSE
0.3
SSE
0.3
SSE
0.3
SSE
0.3
SSE
2.4
SSW
2
SSE
2.5
S
1.9
S
1.3
SE
1.1
SE
0.9
SE
1
ESE
0.9
ESE
0.7
ESE
0.7
ESE
0.5
ESE
0.5
E
0.5
E
0.2
SSE
Period(s) (?)121110111010910109988888888814
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)5240212219189397571299588260153109131105585833302920
Wind
(km/h)
15
NNW
25
NNW
15
N
15
NNE
25
NNW
15
WNW
20
SSW
30
SSW
25
SSW
20
SSW
20
SSE
10
NNW
10
NNE
15
E
5
NW
5
NNE
15
ENE
10
NNW
5
NNW
10
E
10
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
oncross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
off
offcrosscross-
off
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
glasscrosscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:23PM
1.84
7:56AM
1.98
8:17PM
1.89
8:45AM
2.03
9:07PM
1.94
9:31AM
2.06
9:54PM
1.97
10:16AM
2.05
10:40PM
1.98
11:01AM
2.03
11:24PM
1.96
11:45AM
1.99
12:08AM
1.92
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:19PM
0.61
1:31AM
0.47
2:16PM
0.57
2:24AM
0.46
3:05PM
0.53
3:14AM
0.46
3:51PM
0.52
4:02AM
0.48
4:35PM
0.51
4:49AM
0.52
5:19PM
0.52
5:33AM
0.56
6:02PM
0.55
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Sunrise6:18--6:20--6:20--6:22--6:24--6:24--6:26--
Sunset-8:22--8:21--8:20--8:19--8:17--8:16--8:15-
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C272724282821171817171716192019212221222322
Feels °C (?)272625282620131212131415191920222121222523
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 12 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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