Sponge bay surf break

Sponge bay surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Monday 01 Dec 2025 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
18.2° C
(Which is 1.5°C warmer than 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 Monday (Dec 01) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 12 days are 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 04) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Dec 07) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Mon 1st Dec)2.5ft (0.7m) 10s
Best Surf10PM (Thu 4th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 7PM (Thu 4th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 11s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, near gales from the SW by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Thu morning, calm by Sat night).

Monday
01
Tuesday
02
Wednesday
03
Thursday
04
Friday
05
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.3
E
0.8
E
0.7
E
0.6
E
0.6
E
0.5
E
0.5
E
0.4
E
0.4
E
3.5
SSW
3
SSE
2.2
SSE
1.8
SE
1.6
SE
1.1
SE
0.8
SE
0.6
SE
0.4
SE
0.3
SE
0.2
SSE
0.3
SSE
Period(s) (?)1410101099999101111111210109881213
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)32131986962414125252111184111238147222761106718111533
Wind
(km/h)
15
NW
20
E
10
WNW
10
NNW
15
N
5
NW
10
NNW
15
NE
20
NW
45
SW
35
SSW
10
WNW
5
ENE
20
ENE
10
NW
5
ESE
10
ENE
10
WNW
10
ENE
25
NE
15
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
offoffcross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
oncross-
off
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:03PM
1.95
3:32AM
1.91
3:51PM
1.97
4:23AM
1.96
4:44PM
1.98
5:15AM
2.01
5:39PM
1.98
6:10AM
2.03
6:35PM
1.97
7:09AM
2.05
7:33PM
1.96
8:08AM
2.06
8:33PM
1.94
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:25PM
0.46
9:39AM
0.50
10:13PM
0.38
10:33AM
0.47
11:04PM
0.34
11:27AM
0.45
11:57PM
0.32
12:24PM
0.45
12:53AM
0.33
1:26PM
0.48
1:49AM
0.37
2:30PM
0.52
2:46AM
0.43
Monday
01
Tuesday
02
Wednesday
03
Thursday
04
Friday
05
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Sunrise5:37--5:37--5:35--5:35--5:35--5:35--5:35--
Sunset-8:15--8:15--8:16--8:17--8:19--8:20--8:21-
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
light rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
-----38653-----------
Temp. °C242119222421212018151714181918232321212821
Feels °C (?)21181819221921201771011171717222222202519
  • 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 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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