Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 29 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
12.9° 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 29 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, S swell with 10,494 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 17s. 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 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 30th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 4th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 3AM (Tue 4th Aug)16ft (5.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Hey everyone, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Sponge Bay has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a wait. The first real window of opportunity kicks off on Wednesday, the 29th of July. That afternoon, we’re looking at a solid 5ft swell from the ESE, with a nice 12-second period. The wind is a gentle cross-off from the NNE at 9 mph, so the surface should be clean. Combined wave energy is sitting at a moderate 756, and the water is a bit colder than average at 55°F. This is the best of the early run, and it’s expected to produce very good surf conditions. Sponge Bay is a beach and reef setup, fairly exposed, and it’s a beginner-friendly spot, so it’s a good one to get the legs moving.

Thursday the 30th is a bit of a step down. The morning still has clean 4ft surf from the ESE with a 12-second period, and a cross-off breeze from the NNW (9 mph). The afternoon drops to 4ft and the wind picks up to a moderate cross-off from the NW at 12 mph, which isn’t as clean. Still, Thursday morning is a decent option. Friday the 31st sees the swell fade to under 3ft, and the wind swings to a stronger cross-off (16 mph), so the quality plummets.

From Saturday the 1st of August through to Monday the 3rd, things get messy. The wind is onshore or cross-onshore and strong, with a big swell showing up Saturday afternoon – a raw 8ft SSW swell with a short 8-second period, and combined energy of 1615. Conditions are poor, with fresh cross-onshore wind and lumpy water. Sunday the 2nd sees a massive 10ft S swell (12-second period, 3767 combined energy), but it’s ruined by rain and strong cross-onshore wind. This is not a paddle session; for a beach and reef setup, this looks more interesting for kite surfing.

Monday the 3rd morning has a bit of hope with a clean 4ft SE swell and a light cross-off from the WNW at 9 mph, but the afternoon turns ugly again with an 8ft S swell and onshore wind.

Now, here’s the standout – and it’s a big one. Tuesday, the 4th of August. The morning is predicted to have a massive 16ft S swell with a very long 14-second period. Combined energy is a huge 14947. The wind is a light cross-off from the WNW at only 3 mph, making it glassy. The forecast says the swell is too big for this break, and that’s the truth – at over 8ft, this is expert-only territory, and even then, it might be too much. The long period groundswell will be incredibly powerful, and at a beach and reef, it could be a washing machine. This is a watch-and-wonder situation, definitely not for the faint of heart.

After that, the week of the 5th to the 11th of August is a real mixed bag. Wednesday the 5th has a 7ft SSE swell but with cross-onshore wind, making it marginal. Thursday the 6th is the best of the rest: clean, light offshore winds from the N at 6 mph, with a 5ft to 6ft SE swell (12-14 second period, 801-1185 combined energy). This is a very good option, back in the fun-size range. Friday the 7th morning is still okay, but the wind shifts and heavy rain hits in the afternoon with a 10ft SE swell and strong wind. From Saturday the 8th through to Tuesday the 11th, it’s all poor – strong onshore winds, lumpy, and messy surf. The swell drops to under 3ft, and the energy is weak.

The tail end of the forecast, Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th of August, is mostly flat with tiny waves (0.3ft to 0.7ft) and no real energy. However, Thursday afternoon shows a surprise: a 6ft swell from the E with a 13-second period and 1089 combined energy. The wind is light and onshore, but the conditions are listed as unknown, so it’s a long-shot gamble.

So, the bottom line: the best session on offer is Wednesday the 29th of July afternoon. That’s your pick of the 16-day window. The massive swell on Tuesday the 4th of August is a spectacle, but not for surfing. Thursday the 6th of August is the next decent call. There’s a long gap of poor conditions from the 8th to the 11th, so patience is the name of the game.

Stay stoked, and keep an eye on the sky.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Sat morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 6°C on Sat afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat night, calm by Tue morning).

Wed
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
!
!
!
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
ESE
12
1.5
ESE
12
1.3
ESE
12
1.1
ESE
11
1
E
11
0.8
ESE
11
0.7
ESE
11
0.6
ESE
11
0.4
SE
16
2.5
SSW
8
3
S
11
3
S
12
1.9
SSE
11
1.3
SE
11
1.1
SE
10
2.5
S
9
4.5
S
14
5
S
14
4.5
S
14
2.5
SSE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
749
614
422
314
251
164
126
95
62
1009
2496
2495
829
368
260
929
8316
9778
8727
2887
Wind (km/h)
15
NNE
20
NW
15
NNW
20
NW
20
N
25
NW
25
NW
30
WNW
30
SW
30
SSW
30
SSW
25
SSW
25
SW
15
NW
15
WNW
25
SSW
15
SW
5
WNW
15
SSE
20
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
6:18PM1.74m
6:27AM1.71m
7:03PM1.80m
7:13AM1.77m
7:44PM1.87m
7:57AM1.82m
8:24PM1.93m
8:38AM1.87m
9:03PM1.97m
9:19AM1.89m
9:43PM1.98m
10:00AM1.91m
10:23PM1.98m
Low Tide
00:30AM0.80m
12:36PM0.70m
1:18AM0.75m
1:20PM0.65m
2:00AM0.69m
2:02PM0.60m
2:41AM0.63m
2:43PM0.56m
3:20AM0.58m
3:24PM0.54m
4:00AM0.54m
4:05PM0.52m
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:17
5:19
5:20
5:20
 mm
2
1
2
3
3
1
2
Temp °C
14
10
15
15
13
15
15
11
9
7
8
7
9
7
14
14
10
11
11
10
Feels °C
10
5
10
10
9
9
9
4
2
-1
-1
0
3
3
10
8
4
10
7
6
  • 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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