Sponge bay surf break

Sponge bay surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Saturday 18 Apr 2026 NZST
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
17.9° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Tuesday (Apr 21) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. 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 1.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 24) 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 1.7m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Apr 19) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Tue 21st Apr)2ft (0.6m) 10s
Best Surf 9PM (Tue 21st Apr)2.5ft (0.8m) 11s
Most Powerful 3AM (Fri 24th Apr)4.5ft (1.4m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Sat night, calm by Mon morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Tue morning, near gales from the SW by Tue night).

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
ESE
0.4
SSE
0.2
ESE
0.2
E
0.1
E
0.1
E
0.2
E
0.2
S
0.3
S
0.3
E
0.6
S
1
E
0.9
E
1
SSW
0.8
SSE
1
SSE
1.1
SSE
1.3
SSE
1.3
SSE
1.2
SE
1
SE
Period(s) (?)129111010109451210911101010111110109
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)4730128236152373175185218125194302404340281162
Wind
(km/h)
20
N
20
NNW
30
N
15
N
10
NNW
10
NW
5
NW
5
NNW
15
WSW
5
W
15
NNW
5
WSW
30
WSW
20
SSW
10
WNW
35
SSW
35
WSW
30
SSW
15
SW
20
SSW
10
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offoffoffoffoffcross-
off
glassoffcross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
oncross
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:33PM
2.09
6:51AM
2.07
7:21PM
2.13
7:39AM
2.06
8:12PM
2.13
8:33AM
2.02
9:06PM
2.11
9:31AM
1.97
10:03PM
2.06
10:30AM
1.92
11:02PM
2.01
11:27AM
1.87
12:03AM
1.96
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:24PM
0.36
12:42AM
0.42
1:09PM
0.32
1:33AM
0.42
1:57PM
0.33
2:28AM
0.45
2:49PM
0.38
3:25AM
0.49
3:45PM
0.46
4:22AM
0.56
4:45PM
0.53
5:22AM
0.62
5:44PM
0.59
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Sunrise6:37--6:37--6:39--6:39--6:41--6:41--6:43--
Sunset-5:36--5:34--5:32--5:31--5:30--5:29--5:28-
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
heavy rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
Rain (mm)
--16--1211--253-4224--1
Temp. °C191919181816181915181915141513131213141413
Feels °C (?)151615161715171913161614911116589910
  • 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 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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