Sponge bay surf break

Sponge bay surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Wednesday 15 Apr 2026 NZST
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
18.3° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 (Apr 15) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s. 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 1.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 17) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Apr 19) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Wed 15th Apr)1.5ft (0.5m) 11s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 17th Apr)3ft (0.9m) 9s
Most Powerful12PM (Fri 17th Apr)4.5ft (1.4m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.7
E
0.6
E
0.5
E
0.3
ESE
1
SSW
0.4
ESE
0.9
SSE
1.3
SSE
0.9
SSE
0.4
ESE
0.4
SSE
0.2
ESE
0.2
E
0.1
E
0.1
E
0.1
S
0.1
S
0.1
S
0.2
SSE
0.8
E
1
E
Period(s) (?)1212111161491311129111010109887811
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1399962236067146514161473112922211582220
Wind
(km/h)
25
WNW
5
WSW
25
WNW
20
WNW
25
SSW
20
WNW
10
NW
20
ENE
15
NNW
15
N
20
N
20
NNE
15
N
15
N
10
NW
10
NW
35
NE
15
N
20
N
15
NNW
10
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:13PM
1.85
4:38AM
1.95
5:00PM
1.94
5:22AM
2.01
5:46PM
2.02
6:06AM
2.06
6:33PM
2.09
6:51AM
2.07
7:21PM
2.13
7:39AM
2.06
8:12PM
2.13
8:33AM
2.02
9:06PM
2.11
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:06AM
0.61
10:22PM
0.58
10:54AM
0.52
11:08PM
0.51
11:39AM
0.43
11:54PM
0.45
12:24PM
0.36
12:42AM
0.42
1:09PM
0.32
1:33AM
0.42
1:57PM
0.33
2:28AM
0.45
2:49PM
0.38
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Sunrise6:33--6:35--6:35--6:37--6:37--6:39--6:39--
Sunset-5:39--5:38--5:37--5:36--5:34--5:32--5:31-
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
thunderstorm
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-----------34-147----
Temp. °C182016191914181815202019192116181815202015
Feels °C (?)13181216149161412161615171915181313161713
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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