Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, ESE swell with 1,040 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
Hey crew, Rusty here. Let’s get into what’s happening at Sponge Bay.
We’re starting off in a real slump. The first week has weak surf, just tiny waves and mostly clean but boring conditions. Water temp is about normal for this time of year. Real action doesn’t kick in until Friday July 17th – that’s your day.
Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are small – waves around 3 to 3 feet from the ESE, short period of about 9 seconds, and weak energy (54 to 159). Clean with offshore wind, but you’ll be scratching for anything rideable. Wednesday the 15th is a complete dud – glassy but basically flat (41-42).
Thursday the 16th brings a 15-second period swell, but it’s only 2 feet. Energy picks up a bit (136-275), but there’s not enough wave to use it. Still a skip.
Friday July 17th is the standout. Swell hits 4 to 5 feet from the ESE with a long 16-second period. Morning conditions are prime: clean, light offshore cross-off wind from the NW. Energy is high (876-1209). This is your session. The afternoon has a cross-shore wind that might mess things up a bit, but it’s still on.
Saturday the 18th holds 4 feet from the ESE, but the wind turns onshore and strong (35 km/h) by the afternoon, trashing it. The morning still has some cross-shore bumps. Sunday the 19th looks great again – clean cross-off winds, waves 2 to 3 feet from the SSE, but a huge 18 to 21-second period. Energy is high (738-1080). Small waves, but long, clean lines.
After that, Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are OK – 2 to 4 feet from the SSE – but winds get onshore and messy. From Wednesday the 22nd to Friday the 24th, it’s rain, strong onshore winds, and poor surf (202-558 energy). Ugly.
Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th see a bit of a rebound – clean cross-off winds Sunday morning with 2 feet from the ESE – but still small. The final days, Monday and Tuesday the 28th, are tiny and clean, only for the logs.
Best session without a doubt: Friday July 17th, early. Sunday the 19th is a close second if you want smooth, long-period waves.
Keep an eye on the sky, and don’t get too bummed by the flat patches.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sun 19 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 18 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | SSE 21 | SSE 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 196 | 100 | 70 | 58 | 29 | 37 | 34 | 40 | 21 | 56 | 123 | 182 | 604 | 848 | 1040 | 936 | 742 | 621 | 440 | 454 | 442 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:39AM1.84m | 4:14PM1.90m | 4:47AM1.84m | 5:25PM1.93m | 5:56AM1.87m | 6:35PM1.99m | 7:00AM1.91m | 7:34PM2.06m | 7:58AM1.95m | 8:28PM2.11m | 8:53AM1.99m | 9:21PM2.12m | 9:45AM2.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:28PM0.56m | 10:01AM0.43m | 10:33PM0.58m | 11:06AM0.44m | 11:47PM0.59m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — |
 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 18 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 |
| kJ | 196 | 100 | 70 | 58 | 26 | 37 | 34 | 40 | 21 | 56 | 123 | 182 | 604 | 848 | 1040 | 936 | 742 | 621 | 440 | 357 | 261 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | E 12 | NE 4 | ESE 12 | S 19 | S 15 | E 13 | S 16 | S 5 | S 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 21 | SSE 18 |
| kJ | 73 | 59 | 51 | 34 | 29 | 14 | 12 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 87 | 5 | 9 | 127 | 624 | 234 | 119 | 94 | 454 | 442 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | — | NE 11 | SSE 9 | ESE 10 | E 13 | NE 4 | S 9 | S 16 | S 16 | E 22 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | SSE 8 | — | — | S 24 | SSE 21 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 3 | — | 5 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 20 | 19 | 24 | — | — | 11 | 151 | 64 | 16 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 3 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | NNW 3 | SSW 6 | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — | SSW 10 | S 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 3 | 17 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 20 | — | 18 | — | — | — | — | 205 | 19 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 121 | 42 | 0 | 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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