
Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SSE swell with 1,149 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period with ESE 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 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 16 days are 1.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
Alright mate, I’ll give it to you straight. Sponge Bay is the only option we’re lookin’ at here, so you better hope it delivers. It’s a beach-and-reef setup, fairly exposed to swell, and it works best when the swell’s coming from the SSE. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, fairly consistent, but crowds are possible, so keep your eyes peeled for company in the water.
Water temp is about average for the time of year – nothin’ wild, just your typical winter feel.
Alright, let’s get into it. For the first few days, we’re really scraping the barrel. Sunday the 12th kicks off with a sloppy 4ft SE swell (9 sec period) under a light cross breeze – energy’s moderate at 361, but wave comment says it’s marginal. Honestly barely worth wetting the wetsuit. Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th are ordinary – tiny waves (3ft down to 1ft) with clean conditions but nothin’ to write home about. Wednesday 15th is flat and glassy but only 1ft – weak energy (42–44). Thursday 16th picks up a little with 2–2ft ESE swell, but it’s still limp (energy 142–285). That’s five days of pretty average surf, so you’re waiting a while.
Then Friday 17th – now we’re talkin’. Morning sees clean 4ft ESE groundswell at 15 seconds, energy jumps way up to 883, and it gets even better by afternoon: 5ft, same long period, light offshore breeze from the N. That’s proper clean, lined-up surf – this is the standout. Best on offer for the whole run, no question. Get out there.
Saturday 18th is still solid in the morning – 5ft ESE swell (14 sec, energy 1094) but a moderate cross-off breeze – but then things turn ugly by afternoon with a 25 mph onshore blast and rain. Swell spikes huge but it’s messy as hell. Sunday 19th is no good either – 8ft SSE windswell (8 sec) with onshore winds – a write-off.
Monday 20th morning is a nice surprise though: 7ft ESE swell (8 sec) under light cross-off winds, clean and punchy (energy 990). That’s solid for experienced surfers – watch the short period though, it’ll be a bit dumpy.
Now from Tuesday 21st through to the end of the month, it gets too big for Sponge Bay. We’re lookin’ at 10ft to 18ft E swell with periods of 11–14 seconds – energy readings are massive (2730 all the way up to 15836 on the 23rd). The comments say it’s too big for this break, so unless you’re a pro with a death wish, steer clear. The wind is often clean, but that won’t save you from the raw power.
One exception – Sunday 26th morning: 8ft E swell at 12 seconds, with a light offshore from the NNW, energy 2115. That’s dialed in for experienced surfers, excellent conditions. That’s a solid second standout if you’ve got the skill.
Overall, the first week is lean, but Friday 17th and Monday 20th morning are your main windows. If you’re a more experienced paddler, Sunday 26th morning is worth penciling in. Don’t hold your breath for the second week – too much juice for this spot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Sat 18 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 13 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 17 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSE 21 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
373 | 231 | 170 | 200 | 100 | 90 | 58 | 29 | 24 | 34 | 40 | 39 | 87 | 118 | 145 | 675 | 826 | 880 | 1057 | 862 | 907 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 2:38AM1.86m | 3:12PM1.90m | 3:39AM1.84m | 4:14PM1.90m | 4:47AM1.84m | 5:25PM1.93m | 5:56AM1.87m | 6:35PM1.99m | 7:00AM1.91m | 7:34PM2.06m | 7:58AM1.95m | 8:28PM2.11m | 8:53AM1.99m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:01AM0.42m | 9:28PM0.56m | 10:01AM0.43m | 10:33PM0.58m | 11:06AM0.44m | 11:47PM0.59m | 12:10PM0.44m | 00:58AM0.57m | 1:10PM0.44m | 1:58AM0.54m | 2:07PM0.45m | 2:51AM0.53m | 3:01PM0.47m | ||||||||
— | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | |
— | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 9 |
Feels °C | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 13 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 17 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 |
373 | 231 | 170 | 200 | 100 | 90 | 58 | 26 | 24 | 34 | 40 | 39 | 87 | 118 | 145 | 675 | 826 | 880 | 1057 | 862 | 653 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | E 12 | NE 4 | ESE 7 | S 19 | S 17 | ESE 18 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SSW 14 | SSE 24 | SSE 21 |
211 | 123 | 105 | 73 | 59 | 51 | 34 | 29 | 14 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 133 | 36 | 38 | 31 | 36 | 112 | 907 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 9 | SE 11 | E 12 | — | NE 11 | SSE 9 | ESE 10 | NNE 6 | ENE 5 | S 9 | ENE 5 | S 16 | SE 21 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | — | SSW 11 | S 5 |
7 | 7 | 31 | 3 | — | 5 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 6 | 20 | 19 | 16 | — | 24 | 27 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | — | S 7 | — | — | NE 2 | NE 4 | — | NNE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | SW 11 | SSW 5 |
75 | — | 44 | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 96 | 69 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 3 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 53 |
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.











