Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
13.1°C
0.8° 

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 4 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 17s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSW swell with 2,598 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 17s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Mon 7th Sep)1.5ft (0.4m) 17s
Best Surf12AM (Mon 7th Sep)1.5ft (0.4m) 17s
Most Powerful 9PM (Fri 11th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – lookin' at the next 16 days at Sponge Bay, it's a tough watch for most of it. There's a whole lotta nothin' and then a very brief, very specific window that could get the heart racin' if you're experienced.

The first week and a half is pretty much a write-off. From now right through until about the 11th of September, the swell is tiny, the winds are mostly cross, and the energy is weak. You'll be starin' at flat, lumpy lines. From the 4th to the 11th, the combined energy barely kicks past 100 (hitting just 112 on the 9th and 118 on the 11th), which is just a whisper of movement. It's not worth paddlin' out for the most part.

There's a very small, brief window on Saturday the 12th of September. The swell picks up to 4 ft from the SSE, with energy hitting 311, and the wind is clean cross-off from the NNW in the morning. It's still not a standout, but it's the first time you might see a few fun, rideable runners at Sponge Bay. The crowd factor is "sometimes" here, so you might have some company.

Then the real tease comes mid-week. Wednesday the 16th of September is the one. A proper pulse of long-period groundswell, 8 ft at 16 seconds from the SSE, with clean north-northwest winds. That's a serious amount of water moving, the combined energy is a massive 3164, and the report says excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers. The period over 15 seconds means it's a deep-water swell, so at Sponge Bay (a beach and reef setup), it might grind a bit straight, but the power will be there. This is an expert-only day – that 8 ft size is too much for beginners. The morning is the pick. It's a long way off, so keep an eye on it, but if it lines up, it'll be the best surf on offer.

So, to sum up: the first 11 days are pretty grim. The 12th offers a tiny glimpse of something. The 16th of September is the true standout for experienced surfers only. After that, it drops away again. The water is sitting at 55° for the first mention, which is a bit colder than normal for the time of year.

— Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
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)
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SE
10
0.4
SSE
9
0.5
S
8
0.3
SSE
13
0.5
SSE
11
0.3
SSE
18
0.4
SSE
17
0.2
SSE
16
0.3
SSE
16
0.2
SSE
12
0.3
SSE
12
0.4
SSE
11
1
SSE
9
2
SSW
10
1.4
S
9
0.9
SSE
8
0.7
SSE
8
0.6
SSE
8
0.4
SSE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
41
23
26
34
32
64
61
96
26
49
14
28
39
185
698
318
96
55
43
23
Wind (km/h)
25
NW
15
WNW
15
NW
20
ENE
10
WNW
20
NW
20
NNW
15
NNW
15
N
20
N
10
NNW
5
WSW
15
ESE
15
S
10
SSW
20
SE
10
NW
15
NW
5
SSW
15
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
11:23PM1.89m
11:55AM1.92m
00:14AM1.84m
12:49PM1.88m
1:09AM1.78m
1:45PM1.84m
2:13AM1.74m
2:51PM1.83m
3:33AM1.75m
4:11PM1.86m
4:48AM1.81m
5:18PM1.94m
Low Tide
5:11PM0.54m
5:44AM0.47m
6:05PM0.58m
6:37AM0.51m
7:03PM0.63m
7:32AM0.54m
8:06PM0.66m
8:34AM0.56m
9:17PM0.66m
9:47AM0.55m
10:31PM0.62m
10:55AM0.51m
11:34PM0.55m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:47
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
 mm
2
Temp °C
18
15
14
14
12
17
16
15
18
16
14
14
14
12
11
11
9
17
15
14
Feels °C
13
11
10
10
9
12
11
13
15
13
12
11
11
10
8
6
7
14
14
10
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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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