Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 09 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
13.0°C
1.0° 

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 9 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SSE swell with 2,150 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period. 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 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 10th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 7s
Best Surf12AM (Sun 13th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 15s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sun 13th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming up at Sponge Bay.

Alright, it's been a bit flat and messy to start, but hang in there. The real action kicks off on Sunday, September 13th. We've got a proper pulse of swell arriving, with clean conditions on the Sunday morning. Swell heights are hitting 6 ft from the SSE, riding a nice 14-second period. That's got some serious grunt behind it – the combined energy is a solid 1377, making for some powerful waves. The wind is a light breeze out of the WNW, keeping the surface glassy. This is the standout of the whole forecast period, but it's no beginner wave at 6 ft; this is for experienced surfers ready for a punchy day.

The water temperature feels pretty average for this time of year, nothing wild to report.

Monday, September 14th, the swell drops a touch to 5 ft from the SSE, with clean conditions again in the morning thanks to a light breeze out of the North. The energy is still strong at 669. This is another solid option for those in the know.

Things then fade through the middle of the week. Tuesday morning, September 15th, you might find a knee-high wave around 3 ft with glassy conditions, but it's hardly setting the world on fire. Wednesday offers small, clean surf for the absolute longboard, but mostly we're looking at average conditions.

Then there's a big gap. Thursday, September 17th, gets blown out by a fresh 30 km/h cross-onshore wind and lumpy conditions – not worth a look. Friday, the 18th, sees some small, clean waves return with a long-period groundswell, but it's inconsistent and small.

From Saturday, September 19th, right through to the end of the forecast window on September 25th, it's a tough run. We're talking small, weak surf with combined energy barely scraping past 200 on the good days. The wind is often a cross-off, which is clean, but the swell just isn't there to do anything with. The standout is, and remains, that Sunday, September 13th morning session. Don't miss it.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Fri morning, fresh winds from the S by Sat morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
4
4
0
2
3
0
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SE
8
0.7
SE
7
0.6
SE
7
0.3
SSE
16
0.3
SSE
19
0.5
S
18
0.4
SSE
18
0.4
SSE
17
0.7
SSE
16
2.2
SSE
15
1.8
SSE
14
1.5
SSE
14
1.7
SSE
11
1.6
SSE
12
1.4
SSE
12
1.1
SSE
12
0.9
SSE
11
0.8
SSE
10
0.7
SE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
110
56
44
48
72
169
102
97
280
1966
1374
837
604
669
573
347
207
130
94
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
20
NW
15
WNW
15
W
20
SW
15
SE
15
WNW
20
SW
20
SSE
10
NNW
10
WNW
25
S
10
WNW
10
N
15
SE
10
W
5
NW
15
ENE
15
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
off
cross-off
on
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
4:48AM1.81m
5:18PM1.94m
5:44AM1.88m
6:09PM2.01m
6:33AM1.95m
6:53PM2.05m
7:17AM1.99m
7:34PM2.05m
8:00AM2.01m
8:14PM2.02m
8:43AM2.00m
8:56PM1.97m
Low Tide
10:31PM0.62m
10:55AM0.51m
11:34PM0.55m
11:50AM0.46m
00:26AM0.48m
12:37PM0.42m
1:10AM0.44m
1:23PM0.42m
1:52AM0.42m
2:08PM0.44m
2:32AM0.43m
2:52PM0.48m
clear
clear
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:16
6:15
6:13
6:11
6:09
6:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:54
5:55
5:57
 mm
2
2
Temp °C
9
16
16
12
10
11
10
13
12
10
14
14
10
16
14
12
12
13
11
Feels °C
5
11
12
9
6
8
8
8
7
8
9
8
7
13
10
10
9
10
8
  • 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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