Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 11s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, SSW swell with 547 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 11s period with SE 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 (Aug 09) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 16 days are 1.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 7s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next couple of weeks for Sponge Bay. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest, but there are a few windows where it’ll be worth paddling out.
The first few days are looking pretty average. We’ve got some small, clean waves on Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th, but nothing to get too excited about. The swell is small, around 2ft to 3ft, and while the wind is okay, the energy is weak (346 and 319). It’s surfable, but you won’t be writing home about it.
The real standout in this whole forecast is Tuesday morning, the 11th of August. That’s the pick of the bunch. We’ve got a 6ft SSW swell rolling in, and even though the period is a short 8 seconds, the combined energy is solid (764). The wind is cross-shore, which should keep things clean enough. This is the best the bay will look for a while, so if you can get out, that’s the session to aim for.
After that, things get messy. Wednesday the 12th has a cleaner morning with some 4ft SE swell, but the wind shifts and the energy drops. From Thursday the 13th through the following week, it’s a lot of onshore wind and building swell. There’s a big push of SSE swell from the 16th, with heights over 7ft, but the wind is just garbage. It’s going to be blown out, lumpy, and borderline dangerous for anyone who isn’t a seasoned expert. By the 18th and 19th, we’re looking at 10ft+ swell with near-gale force winds. That’s not surf, that’s a washing machine. For a beach and reef setup like Sponge Bay, this is more of a kite-surfing playground than a paddle-surf session.
The light at the end of the tunnel is Friday the 21st of August. The wind swings offshore, and we get a clean 4ft SE swell. It’s not huge, but the combined energy is 283, and with that NNE offshore breeze, it’ll be glassy and fun. After that, it’s back to messy onshore slop through the 23rd and 24th.
So, to sum it up: Tuesday morning the 11th is your best shot. Get it while you can, because the rest of the week is a write-off. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild. Stay tuned, forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Thu night, calm by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 283 | 229 | 160 | 192 | 89 | 79 | 55 | 452 | 223 | 263 | 305 | 208 | 281 | 138 | 120 | 94 | 146 | 148 | 235 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:22AM1.83m | 1:58PM1.86m | 2:20AM1.79m | 2:55PM1.84m | 3:29AM1.77m | 4:07PM1.85m | 4:46AM1.79m | 5:27PM1.91m | 5:54AM1.85m | 6:28PM2.00m | 6:51AM1.92m | 7:19PM2.07m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:47AM0.47m | 8:12PM0.60m | 8:44AM0.49m | 9:16PM0.63m | 9:49AM0.51m | 10:31PM0.63m | 11:01AM0.49m | 11:47PM0.60m | 12:04PM0.45m | 00:48AM0.54m | 12:58PM0.43m | 1:39AM0.49m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | |  | | |  |  | | | |
 | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 7 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 283 | 229 | 160 | 192 | 89 | 79 | 55 | 222 | 202 | 263 | 305 | 208 | 281 | 138 | 120 | 94 | 146 | 148 | 235 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NE 6 | S 20 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ENE 6 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | S 15 |
| kJ | 56 | 104 | 147 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 55 | 90 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 18 | 17 | 71 | 19 | 20 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | S 17 | S 16 | S 6 | NE 6 | S 18 | NE 6 | S 18 | NE 11 | N 8 | S 19 | S 18 | ESE 14 | S 16 | S 16 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 19 | 13 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | — | — | WSW 3 | — | S 6 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | — | — | NE 6 | NE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | — |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 34 | 452 | 223 | — | — | 1 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 347 | 432 | 191 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 295 | 295 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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.
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