Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 21s period, SSE swell with 1,904 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. 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 1.5m 21s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) 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 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s look at what’s going on at Sponge Bay (Sponge-Bay). Water temp is about 57°F, pretty normal for the season. The first few days are a bit of a bust—tiny, weak waves on Wednesday the 15th and Thursday morning the 16th. Not much to get excited about.
Thursday afternoon the 16th shows a glimmer of hope: 0.7m (about 2ft) ESE swell with a 18-second period, energy reading 366—moderate kick. Light cross-off breeze, clean. That’s the first real sign.
The real standout is Friday the 17th. Morning brings 1.4m (around 5ft) ESE groundswell at 16 seconds, energy 1062 (strong). Light cross-off wind, clean faces. By afternoon, it’s 1.6m (about 5ft), energy 1262, still clean. That’s the best of the whole outlook—good shape, consistent sets, not too big for most. Saturday the 18th holds up with 1.3m (about 4ft) and light wind, just a bit less energy.
Sunday the 19th gets wrecked by strong onshore SSW wind at 30 km/h (about 19 mph), messy and blown out. Monday the 20th is no good either. Tuesday the 21st morning offers a quick comeback: 1.2m (about 4ft) SSE groundswell, 17-second period, energy 1121, light cross-off breeze, clean. Worth a look if you missed Friday.
After that, the swell fades and the rest of the month is pretty ordinary—small, weak, or wind-battered. The 16-day window is really all about that Friday the 17th through Saturday the 18th pulse, with a secondary chance Tuesday the 21st morning. If you’re planning, aim for those.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | E 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 18 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSE 22 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 17 | SSE 14 | SSE 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 40 | 20 | 86 | 172 | 273 | 779 | 1029 | 1154 | 936 | 722 | 595 | 1465 | 1351 | 919 | 540 | 402 | 867 | 756 | 827 | 545 | 575 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:35PM1.99m | 7:00AM1.91m | 7:34PM2.06m | 7:58AM1.95m | 8:28PM2.11m | 8:53AM1.99m | 9:21PM2.12m | 9:45AM2.01m | 10:13PM2.11m | 10:36AM2.00m | 11:02PM2.08m | 11:25AM1.98m | 11:47PM2.03m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:10PM0.44m | 00:58AM0.57m | 1:10PM0.44m | 1:58AM0.54m | 2:07PM0.45m | 2:51AM0.53m | 3:01PM0.47m | 3:41AM0.52m | 3:54PM0.50m | 4:31AM0.53m | 4:45PM0.54m | 5:19AM0.54m | 5:32PM0.59m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — |
 | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | E 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 18 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSE 22 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 17 | SSE 14 | SSE 16 |
| kJ | 40 | 20 | 86 | 172 | 273 | 779 | 1029 | 1154 | 936 | 722 | 595 | 1465 | 1351 | 919 | 540 | 402 | 867 | 756 | 827 | 545 | 575 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | ESE 12 | S 19 | S 15 | E 13 | S 16 | S 6 | SSE 11 | SSE 15 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 6 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 |
| kJ | 2 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 87 | 20 | 15 | 90 | 456 | 161 | 135 | 440 | 357 | 261 | 63 | 167 | 161 | 111 | 70 | 69 | 63 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | ESE 7 | S 16 | S 18 | S 18 | SW 10 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 20 | S 25 | SSE 9 | SSE 6 | — | ESE 12 | SE 6 | — | — | S 18 | ESE 11 | — |
| kJ | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 18 | 18 | 161 | 8 | 49 | 56 | 39 | — | 190 | 37 | — | — | 224 | 107 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | — | — | NW 4 | — | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 91 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 119 | 121 | 3 | 1 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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