Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 01 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
12.6°C
1.3° 

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 1 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with 5,534 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period with SSE 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 14s period. 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 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 1st Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 8th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 3AM (Tue 8th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what we're looking at for Sponge Bay.

Right off the bat, it’s a slow burn. There's nothing worth paddling out for in the first week. We’re looking at a flat spell from the start all the way through to the morning of the 8th of September. That’s a solid seven days of next to nothing. The water’s sitting at 55°, which feels a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a 4/3 if you’re even thinking about it.

Honestly, the first real action that catches my eye doesn’t fire up until Tuesday the 8th. That morning, a solid 8ft swell rolls in from the SSE with a 12-second period. The combined energy is strong at (1548). That’s a beefy one, pushing well past the beginner zone at over 5ft, so this is for experienced surfers only. The wind is light out of the WNW, giving us a cross-offshore angle that’ll keep it clean. This is the standout window, no doubt.

The next morning, Wednesday the 9th, keeps the run going. Another 7ft swell, this time with a longer 14-second period from the SSE, cranking the energy up to (1835). That’s some serious power. Again, the wind is light out of the NW, cross-off, keeping the face smooth. This is proper stuff for those who know what they’re doing.

Looking further out, the morning of Wednesday the 16th looks promising too. We’ve got 6ft from the SSE with a very long 16-second period, and the energy is strong at (1970). The wind is practically glassy out of the NNW. Long period like that is a dream for a beach and reef set-up like this, giving you proper, well-shaped lines and lulls between sets to get back out. It’s a long-range call, so not as locked in, but it has all the right ingredients for a classic session.

So, the takeaway? Park the board for the first week and circle the 8th, 9th, and maybe the 16th of September on your calendar. Those mornings are where it’s at.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
2
4
3
3
3
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
SSW
12
1.9
SSE
12
2.3
SSE
14
1.7
SSE
14
1.8
SSE
17
1.5
SSE
15
1.2
SSE
13
0.9
SSE
13
0.7
SSE
12
0.5
SSE
11
0.4
SSE
10
0.2
SSE
10
0.3
S
7
0.4
SSE
8
0.5
SSE
9
0.3
SSE
11
0.3
SSE
9
0.2
S
17
0.2
SSE
16
1.3
S
6
3.5
SSW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3331
1143
2035
1008
1938
970
499
261
123
68
42
9
8
24
47
25
15
24
27
118
2894
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
10
S
10
NW
15
NW
10
E
15
NW
15
NW
5
ENE
20
NW
25
NNW
15
NW
15
WNW
15
NW
15
E
15
NNW
15
N
20
N
25
NW
45
SW
40
SSW
20
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
High Tide
9:04PM2.02m
9:29AM2.00m
9:48PM1.98m
10:14AM1.99m
10:35PM1.94m
11:03AM1.96m
11:23PM1.89m
11:55AM1.92m
00:14AM1.84m
12:49PM1.88m
1:09AM1.78m
1:45PM1.84m
2:13AM1.74m
Low Tide
2:52PM0.48m
3:22AM0.44m
3:36PM0.48m
4:05AM0.44m
4:22PM0.50m
4:53AM0.45m
5:11PM0.54m
5:44AM0.47m
6:05PM0.58m
6:37AM0.51m
7:03PM0.63m
7:32AM0.54m
8:06PM0.66m
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:22
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:47
5:49
5:50
 mm
1
2
2
Temp °C
8
9
8
16
15
13
17
18
13
16
16
13
15
14
11
16
16
16
10
11
10
Feels °C
3
6
6
14
13
10
14
16
9
11
12
9
12
10
7
11
12
12
1
2
3
  • 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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