
Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 13s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 13s period, S swell with 8,568 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period with SSE 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 16 days are 5.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 16ft (5.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 16ft (5.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks. Honestly, the first few days are a bit of a write-off, so don’t bother rushing down for a dawn patrol just yet. The solid energy we see on the charts is mostly accompanied by ugly wind, making it a real struggle to find anything rideable. The initial run of surfable waves doesn’t show up until the middle of the week, so you’re looking at a gap of a couple of days of nothing worthwhile.
The first half-decent chance rolls in on Wednesday 22nd July morning at Sponge Bay. It’s a beach and reef set-up, so you’ll get a bit of variety. The swell is a small 3ft out of the SSE with a period of 13 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell, so it’ll have some push and shape, but it’s nothing huge. The combined wave energy is still weak at 299 (moderate energy). The real kicker here is the wind: a light, clean cross-offshore breeze from the NW. That’ll keep the surface clean. The water temp is sitting at 55°, which is a noticeable 3° colder than average for this time of year, so you’ll be wanting a good 4/3. It’s not a standout, but it’s the first real chance after a poor start. Crowds are possible here sometimes.
The swell builds a touch on Thursday 23rd July, but the morning drops to a tiny 2ft and the energy drops to 108 (weak). Still, with a clean cross-offshore wind, it’s rideable for the very patient. The afternoon stays clean but wave height drops further to 1ft. Not a classic.
Looking at the second week, the real story – and the only true standout of the whole outlook – is Monday 27th July morning. This is a big one. The swell is 15ft out of the S with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is massive at 8357 (strong to very strong wave energy). That’s a serious amount of water moving. However, at this size, it’s only for experts – 15ft is well beyond the beginner and intermediate comfort zone. The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the WSW, keeping it a bit lined up, but the sheer power and size means it’s going to be critical. The long period (12 seconds) and direction from the south means it’ll be a powerful, deep water swell, but at a beach and reef set-up, it might be a bit too much for the sandbanks and will be challenging. The morning window is the only one that looks good; the afternoon gets blown out by a fresh cross-onshore.
Friday 31st July morning is the next decent chance to call out. The swell is 5ft from the SSE with a 17-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is strong at 1247 (moderate to strong). The wind is a clean cross-offshore. This is a solid, clean option for intermediates and above, with plenty of power. The very long period means it’ll punch through well, though at a beach break it can sometimes wall up and close out; it’s better suited to the reef section here. The afternoon gets hammered by a near gale, so that morning window is the only one.
Other than that, the rest of the fortnight is a mix of small, weak, and often windy. The 29th of July afternoon has a clean 5ft from the SE with a 13-second period and clean wind, which is a worth a look if you’re desperate and the main day is too big. But the standout is clearly Monday 27th July morning if you’ve got the skills and a big board. Keep an eye on the forecast for that one – it’s a long way out, so it’s promising but not locked in.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 15 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 7 | SSE 8 | ESE 15 | SSW 8 | S 12 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
487 | 1548 | 2268 | 1310 | 856 | 421 | 257 | 187 | 181 | 85 | 55 | 23 | 19 | 11 | 12 | 237 | 83 | 128 | 568 | 5248 | 8568 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:36AM2.00m | 11:02PM2.08m | 11:25AM1.98m | 11:47PM2.03m | 12:13PM1.94m | 00:29AM1.96m | 12:59PM1.88m | 1:10AM1.87m | 1:42PM1.82m | 1:52AM1.78m | 2:25PM1.76m | 2:39AM1.70m | 3:12PM1.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:45PM0.54m | 5:19AM0.54m | 5:32PM0.59m | 6:06AM0.56m | 6:19PM0.64m | 6:49AM0.58m | 7:05PM0.70m | 7:32AM0.62m | 7:52PM0.75m | 8:14AM0.67m | 8:41PM0.79m | 9:00AM0.72m | 9:33PM0.82m | ||||||||
7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | |
— | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 1 |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
Feels °C | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 2 | -4 | -2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 15 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | ENE 4 | SSE 10 | E 6 | E 6 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 |
487 | 1548 | 2268 | 1310 | 856 | 421 | 257 | 187 | 181 | 85 | 55 | 6 | 19 | 6 | 3 | 89 | 83 | 54 | 264 | 2538 | 3602 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 11 | ENE 6 | SSE 9 | ESE 11 | E 8 | E 12 | E 11 | ESE 14 | ESE 12 | — |
44 | 123 | 100 | 69 | 69 | 64 | 42 | 36 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 45 | 87 | 168 | 208 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | E 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 17 | ESE 15 | E 11 | — | — |
161 | 177 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 27 | 128 | 55 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | SSW 7 | N 6 | NNW 3 | SSW 8 | S 12 | S 13 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | 237 | 1 | 3 | 568 | 5248 | 8568 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 46 | 36 | 19 | 145 | 10 | 3 | 40 | 113 | 68 |
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.










