Sponge bay surf break

Sponge bay surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Sunday 28 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
19.3° C
(Which is 1.2°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 Tuesday (Dec 30) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Dec 29) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 30) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Tue 30th Dec)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 30th Dec)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 7PM (Mon 29th Dec)7ft (2.1m) 8s

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 71mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.3
S
0.3
SE
0.5
ESE
1.6
E
1.5
E
1.4
E
1.3
E
1
E
0.5
SE
0.5
SE
0.3
SSE
0.3
SSE
0.2
SSE
0.2
SSE
0.3
SE
0.9
SSE
0.9
S
1.1
SSE
1.1
SSE
1.4
S
1.1
SSE
Period(s) (?)43478888991091098456666
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2292222632221861333740181698112647958213874
Wind
(km/h)
20
ESE
15
SE
25
ESE
30
E
15
NNE
5
NNE
15
NNE
10
NNW
10
N
15
N
10
NNW
10
NNE
20
NNE
15
NW
15
SE
10
SE
10
S
20
SSE
20
S
15
SSE
20
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crossoffglasscross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
ononcross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:23AM
1.87
1:46PM
1.96
2:12AM
1.90
2:30PM
1.95
3:02AM
1.92
3:19PM
1.92
3:53AM
1.93
4:12PM
1.88
4:45AM
1.91
5:14PM
1.85
5:49AM
1.91
6:20PM
1.85
6:59AM
1.94
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:24PM
0.52
7:28AM
0.53
8:08PM
0.46
8:16AM
0.51
8:54PM
0.40
9:09AM
0.51
9:42PM
0.38
10:04AM
0.51
10:33PM
0.39
11:01AM
0.55
11:34PM
0.41
12:08PM
0.57
12:37AM
0.43
Sun
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunrise--5:43--5:43--5:45--5:45--5:46--5:47--5:48
Sunset8:34--8:34--8:35--8:35--8:35--8:35--8:35--
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-3144482----------221-1
Temp. °C181717191920232022261922242018181817171717
Feels °C (?)151613151718232021231820221817171815141514
  • 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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