Sponge bay surf break

Sponge bay surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Friday 05 Dec 2025 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
18.4° C
(Which is 1.6°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


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 Friday (Dec 05) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 12 days are 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Dec 13) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 09) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Fri 5th Dec)4.5ft (1.4m) 11s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 5th Dec)4.5ft (1.4m) 11s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sat 13th Dec)7ft (2.1m) 8s

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 29°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
05
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.7
SE
1.3
SE
0.9
SE
0.8
SE
0.6
SE
0.6
SSE
0.6
SSE
0.5
SSE
0.4
SSE
0.4
SSE
0.3
SSE
0.2
E
0.5
E
0.6
E
0.7
E
0.7
E
0.5
E
0.5
E
0.1
SE
0.2
E
0.4
S
Period(s) (?)121110101013131110109151413121211118106
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)7943751671207913913170383716179211913813658573813
Wind
(km/h)
20
ENE
15
NW
10
NW
10
E
10
NW
10
ENE
10
E
10
NW
15
NNW
20
N
15
NW
5
NE
25
NE
10
NNW
10
NNE
20
NE
10
NNE
5
N
15
E
10
NW
15
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
glasscross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcrosscross-
off
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:35PM
1.97
7:09AM
2.05
7:33PM
1.96
8:08AM
2.06
8:33PM
1.94
9:08AM
2.06
9:34PM
1.92
10:06AM
2.06
10:33PM
1.91
11:05AM
2.04
11:30PM
1.91
12:04PM
2.03
12:27AM
1.90
12:59PM
2.02
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:53AM
0.33
1:26PM
0.48
1:49AM
0.37
2:30PM
0.52
2:46AM
0.43
3:33PM
0.55
3:44AM
0.50
4:31PM
0.59
4:44AM
0.56
5:27PM
0.62
5:43AM
0.61
6:24PM
0.64
6:38AM
0.65
Fri
05
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Sunrise--5:35--5:35--5:35--5:35--5:35--5:35--5:35
Sunset8:19--8:20--8:21--8:22--8:22--8:23--8:23--
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-----------------1-3-
Temp. °C192028272123212029302221222020181719201920
Feels °C (?)161624242021201826251921181818151621201920
  • 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 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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