Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 22 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
12.7° C
1.7° 

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 21 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, S swell with 5,146 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) 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 0.9m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 22nd Jul)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf 9PM (Tue 28th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 14s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 28th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what Sponge Bay has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.

First up, the water is running a bit colder than normal for this time of year, about 55°F and a degree or two off the average, so you might want to consider a steamer, especially if you’re heading out early.

The good news is we’ve got some surf on the way, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag with the wind. The standout session is shaping up for Wednesday, July 29th. The morning brings a solid 7ft swell out of the ESE with a 13-second period, and a moderate cross-offshore breeze from the NW keeping things clean. The combined energy is strong at 1858, so there’s plenty of push. Then the afternoon glass offs with no wind at all; the same 7ft ESE swell, dropping slightly to 12 seconds, but still powerful at 1446 energy. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – steep, lined up, and clean. Sponge Bay is a beach and reef setup, and with that longer period groundswell, the reef sections will be the ones to watch. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so you might have some company.

Before that, we have a few smaller windows. Sunday morning the 26th is a nice little surprise. We’ve got a 4ft SSE swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit fat and less powerful. The real treat is the wind – glassy, dead calm. The combined energy is moderate at 485, and with clean conditions, it’ll be fun on a longer board. The wind changes in the afternoon, so get it while it’s good.

Then there’s a big gap. From Sunday afternoon right through the 28th, the wind turns onshore and the swell gets messy and big – over 10ft and up to 20ft by the 3rd of August. The energy spikes into the thousands (3266, 5647, even 16268 on the 3rd), but with strong cross-onshore winds, it’s blown out and lumpy. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing. The swell is too big and the conditions are too rough for a good time on a surfboard.

After that, Wednesday morning, August 5th looks like another decent option. We’re looking at a 6ft ESE swell with an 11-second period, light cross-offshore breeze from the NW, and 930 energy. The conditions are clean and the waves should have some shape. It’s not the standout of the week, but it’s a solid session. The afternoon holds similar energy at 986, with a light breeze from the ENE, so a good day to be in the water.

The rest of the period into early August is mostly blown out with strong onshore winds, big messy swells, and poor conditions. There’s a little window on the 4th with a 8ft SSW swell, but the wind is cross-shore and the conditions are only marginal. It’s not worth the drive unless you’re desperate.

So, bottom line: Wednesday, July 29th is the clear winner. Clean, powerful, and glassy. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun morning).

Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSE
13
0.8
SSE
12
0.8
SSE
13
0.5
SSE
12
0.4
SSE
12
0.3
SSE
11
0.3
SSE
10
0.4
E
9
0.7
E
12
0.9
E
11
0.9
E
11
2.5
SSW
8
1.3
SSE
8
1.7
S
9
2.1
S
8
2.5
S
8
3
S
9
4.5
S
12
3.5
S
11
3
S
10
2.2
ESE
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
257
187
189
86
56
23
19
23
136
196
198
681
217
425
501
829
1752
5146
3082
1968
1609
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
5
E
10
WNW
15
NW
15
NNE
20
NW
15
NNW
20
NW
20
NNE
20
W
25
SW
25
WSW
5
W
20
S
30
SSW
30
WSW
25
SW
30
SW
30
SW
20
SSW
10
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
12:13PM1.94m
00:29AM1.96m
12:59PM1.88m
1:10AM1.87m
1:42PM1.82m
1:52AM1.78m
2:25PM1.76m
2:39AM1.70m
3:12PM1.71m
3:34AM1.65m
4:09PM1.68m
4:36AM1.63m
5:20PM1.69m
Low Tide
6:19PM0.64m
6:49AM0.58m
7:05PM0.70m
7:32AM0.62m
7:52PM0.75m
8:14AM0.67m
8:41PM0.79m
9:00AM0.72m
9:33PM0.82m
9:52AM0.75m
10:32PM0.84m
10:51AM0.76m
11:34PM0.83m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
light rain
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:09
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:14
5:14
 mm
2
3
3
1
5
4
Temp °C
10
11
9
12
14
9
14
14
14
14
12
10
9
9
9
9
10
8
10
12
8
Feels °C
8
10
7
9
10
5
9
9
10
11
7
3
6
2
2
1
3
2
3
7
5
  • 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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