Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 31 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
13.0° C
1.2° 

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 31 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, S swell with 3,711 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period with ESE 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sat 1st Aug)2ft (0.6m) 11s
Best Surf 6AM (Sun 2nd Aug)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sun 2nd Aug)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 6°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds.

Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
AM
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
1
0
0
0
2
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
2
1
0
2
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
E
11
0.7
ESE
11
0.6
ESE
11
2.4
SSW
8
3.5
SSW
11
2.3
SSE
13
1.8
SSE
12
1.7
SSE
11
1.2
SE
11
1.2
SSE
10
0.9
SSE
10
0.9
SSE
12
1.9
SSE
15
2.5
SSE
15
2.2
SSE
15
2
SSE
14
1.9
SSE
15
1.7
SSE
13
1.4
SE
12
1.3
SSE
12
1.1
SE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
198
128
95
820
2756
1848
936
669
347
288
175
241
1496
3305
2010
1670
1546
1002
597
449
273
Wind (km/h)
20
NW
20
NW
15
W
30
SW
35
SSW
25
SW
10
W
10
SSW
15
NW
20
WNW
5
SSW
15
W
30
SSW
25
SSW
15
WSW
15
WSW
25
SSW
10
W
10
W
15
SSE
10
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
on
cross-off
High Tide
7:44PM1.87m
7:57AM1.82m
8:24PM1.93m
8:38AM1.87m
9:03PM1.97m
9:19AM1.89m
9:43PM1.98m
10:00AM1.91m
10:23PM1.98m
10:42AM1.92m
11:05PM1.95m
11:28AM1.91m
11:47PM1.92m
Low Tide
1:20PM0.65m
2:00AM0.69m
2:02PM0.60m
2:41AM0.63m
2:43PM0.56m
3:20AM0.58m
3:24PM0.54m
4:00AM0.54m
4:05PM0.52m
4:41AM0.50m
4:47PM0.51m
5:24AM0.47m
5:31PM0.52m
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:16
5:17
5:19
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:22
 mm
1
1
1
Temp °C
15
15
12
8
9
9
10
11
9
14
16
12
10
10
8
9
10
8
8
9
8
Feels °C
10
10
7
1
1
1
6
7
5
11
14
8
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
  • 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 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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