Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s period, SSE swell with 1,875 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s. 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 1.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, giving you the same picture in feet and knots.
Water temperature is around 56°F, which is about normal for this time of year.
We’ve got a rough start. Right now, it’s a total mess. Tuesday has a big 10ft swell from the SSE, but a 16-knot cross-on wind is making it lumpy and awful. The combined energy is a strong 1774, but that doesn’t help you. First few days are a total miss.
Come Wednesday morning, things calm down a bit. The swell drops to 4ft from the SE, period a short 8 seconds, and the wind is a light 3 knots from the NW, blowing cross-off. It’s clean, but only small energy (207). Thursday is even smaller, dropping to 3ft then 2ft. Just tiny waves. Friday through Saturday is mixed – Friday morning has a crazy long 19-second period swell, but it’s only 1.0ft and blowing 19 knots onshore. No good.
Now for the real deal. Sunday, September 13th is the day. Early morning you’ve got a solid 6ft swell from the SSE, with a dreamy 16-second period. Wind is a light 8 knots offshore from the WNW, keeping the surface clean. The combined energy is a powerful 1701. This is excellent surf for experienced guys. That long-period groundswell might break a little straight at a beach setup like Sponge Bay, but for the crew who knows how to handle it, this is the best session of the whole run. And get this – Sunday afternoon goes glassy, with the swell still a nice 5ft and the wind dead calm. That’s a golden window.
After that, we get a run of smaller, clean days into next week. Monday the 14th has a clean 3ft morning, Tuesday the 15th a clean 3ft morning – just small fun waves.
Then there’s a quiet patch until Friday, September 18th. That morning, another solid pulse: 6ft from the SSE, 14-second period, light 6-knot offshore wind from the NW. The combined energy jumps to 1189. Another great morning for experienced surfers.
So, plain and simple: the first few days are a washout. Sunday, September 13th is your best shot – big, clean groundswell. Friday, September 18th is the second best. After that, it’s smaller and quieter. Crowds can be an issue at Sponge Bay sometimes, so get out there early on that Sunday.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SSE 15 | SSE 19 | S 7 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | S 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 8 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1217 | 907 | 291 | 201 | 159 | 116 | 67 | 44 | 44 | 74 | 338 | 102 | 97 | 132 | 988 | 1693 | 1194 | 756 | 331 | 244 | 483 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 2:51PM1.83m | 3:33AM1.75m | 4:11PM1.86m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:17PM0.66m | 9:47AM0.55m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 4 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 | S 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 548 | 482 | 291 | 201 | 159 | 116 | 67 | 44 | 25 | 12 | 186 | 58 | 14 | 132 | 988 | 1693 | 1194 | 756 | 331 | 135 | 483 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 14 | E 15 | S 9 | E 15 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 15 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 7 | ENE 8 | SSE 6 | E 8 | E 12 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 13 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 44 | 74 | 115 | 102 | 15 | 7 | 36 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 16 | E 16 | NNE 8 | E 15 | S 21 | — | E 14 | E 14 | ENE 8 | SSE 13 | ENE 13 | E 13 | SSE 17 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | SE 10 | E 14 | NE 13 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 9 | — | 4 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 35 | 14 | 97 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — | SSW 5 | S 7 | — | — | S 5 | — | — | — | — | S 6 | SSE 8 | — |
| kJ | 1217 | 907 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 25 | 338 | — | — | 20 | — | — | — | — | 61 | 244 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 68 | 68 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 42 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 112 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 44 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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