Sponge bay surf break

Sponge bay surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Friday 30 Jan 2026 NZDT
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
19.8° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 31) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 12 days are 1.9m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Feb 03) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 10s period and expected on Saturday (Jan 31) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sat 31st Jan)1ft (0.3m) 14s
Best Surf10AM (Sat 31st Jan)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Most Powerful10PM (Tue 3rd Feb)6ft (1.9m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed night).

Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
S
0.6
E
0.3
SSE
0.9
SSE
0.8
SSE
0.5
SSE
0.6
SSE
0.4
SSE
0.8
SSE
0.5
SSE
0.4
SSE
0.3
SSE
1.7
SSW
1.8
S
1.8
SSE
1.5
SSE
1.3
SSE
1.1
SSE
0.9
SSE
0.6
SSE
0.7
SE
Period(s) (?)610141312111015131211108913121211111414
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)12872412421676577711987747213765771052699534307176138197
Wind
(km/h)
20
SSW
15
SSE
10
N
10
N
25
NE
20
NW
10
SSE
20
SSE
10
NNW
15
NNW
20
NNW
25
NNW
25
W
40
SSW
25
SSW
20
SSW
20
SSE
5
SE
5
E
15
E
10
NNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
on
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crossonononcross-
on
cross-
on
glasscrossoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:54PM
1.78
4:30AM
1.83
5:06PM
1.76
5:46AM
1.84
6:19PM
1.78
6:59AM
1.90
7:23PM
1.84
7:56AM
1.98
8:17PM
1.89
8:45AM
2.03
9:07PM
1.94
9:31AM
2.06
9:54PM
1.97
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:16PM
0.49
10:51AM
0.64
11:24PM
0.50
12:08PM
0.64
12:32AM
0.49
1:19PM
0.61
1:31AM
0.47
2:16PM
0.57
2:24AM
0.46
3:05PM
0.53
3:14AM
0.46
3:51PM
0.52
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Sunrise6:16--6:16--6:18--6:18--6:20--6:20--6:22--
Sunset-8:24--8:23--8:22--8:22--8:21--8:20--8:19-
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C191918222621181817282924191616161717181816
Feels °C (?)16171720241818161727272212910121416161614
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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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