
Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 20s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 19s period, SSE swell with 2,558 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 20s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 20s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m 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 1.9m 19s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 20s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 20s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Sponge Bay over the next couple of weeks. There’s a bit of a slow start, but a few windows of clean swell sneaking through for those who time it right.
The first real chance to get wet comes Saturday the 18th, but honestly, it’s only going to be small, scrappy 4ft swell from the ESE with a light onshore breeze. The combined energy is moderate (1176), but the conditions just aren’t there – marginal at best. I’d skip it.
Sunday the 19th morning is where things start looking better. We’ve got a clean 5ft swell from the SSE, and that 18-second period means it’s a proper groundswell – nice energy, long lulls. A light WNW cross-off breeze will keep it clean. The combined energy is strong (1798). This is solid for experienced surfers, but the 5ft height and long period mean it’s best suited to the reef or point areas of Sponge Bay, where it’ll line up nicely. It could be a bit much for beginners. Sunday afternoon goes downhill fast with a 25 km/h onshore wind.
Monday the 20th is a write-off – poor conditions with onshore winds all day, despite swell around 3 to 5ft.
Tuesday the 21st is the standout of the whole outlook. Tuesday morning brings a glassy 5ft swell from the SSE, with a 16-second period and a combined energy of 1396. That’s moderate-strong energy, but the glassy, no-wind conditions will make for pristine waves. It’s another one for experienced surfers at that size, but if you can handle it, this is the best session on offer. Tuesday afternoon stays glassy with 5ft swell – still very good.
Wednesday the 22nd drops off to 3ft, and while it’s clean in the morning, it’s not going to stir the soul. After that, from Thursday the 23rd through to the end of the month, the swell shrinks to tiny 0.7ft to 2ft – surfable but ordinary.
From Saturday the 26th into Monday the 28th, we see a jump in size: 8ft to 8ft swell on the 26th and 27th, but it’s all raw, short-period windswell (8-9 seconds) with strong cross-onshore winds up to 40 km/h. The combined energy is strong to very strong (986-2500), but it’s a complete mess. Honestly, with that cross-onshore wind and beach-and-reef setup, this looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Not for the faint-hearted.
The last few days, from the 29th of July to the 2nd of August, we see some cleaner conditions with light offshore or cross-off winds, but the swell is inconsistent – mostly 2ft to 4ft. The 30th morning might offer a clean 3ft ESE swell under a light NNW cross-off breeze, but it’s small.
The water temperature is currently 56°F, which is 3°F colder than normal for this time of year – a bit nippier than average.
So to sum it up: Sunday morning the 19th is good, but Tuesday the 21st is the true standout with glassy, clean 5ft groundswell. After that, it’s a long run of small or blown-out days, with a kite-surfing window around the 26th-27th if that’s your thing.
Stay stoked, and pick your moment.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | 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 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2124 | 1377 | 950 | 644 | 487 | 408 | 2558 | 1310 | 867 | 421 | 253 | 184 | 121 | 127 | 86 | 24 | 10 | 11 | 27 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | 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 | 3:41AM0.52m | 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 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 21 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | E 7 |
2124 | 1377 | 950 | 644 | 487 | 408 | 2558 | 1310 | 867 | 421 | 253 | 184 | 121 | 127 | 86 | 24 | 13 | 19 | 27 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SSE 6 | SSE 19 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 9 | ESE 11 | SE 10 |
506 | 421 | 317 | 230 | 43 | 406 | 98 | 95 | 69 | 64 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 9 | 11 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 5 | ESE 12 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 10 | — | E 5 | ENE 4 | ESE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 |
— | — | — | 20 | 161 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | — | 2 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 3 | S 5 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | NE 4 | — | NE 5 | — |
— | — | 3 | 28 | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | — | 5 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 10 | 10 | 44 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
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.










