Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 21 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
12.8° C
1.6° 

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 21 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period, SE swell with 2,356 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s 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 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 15s 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 2.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Tue 21st Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 15s
Best Surf 3AM (Sun 26th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 28th Jul)8ft (2.4m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Sponge Bay over the next couple of weeks.

First up, the water is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. You’ll want a decent wetsuit for sure.

The week starts off with a bit of a tease. Tuesday the 21st has some swell – around 5ft from the SSE – but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s not going to be clean. You’ll find bumpy, choppy lines. The combined energy is moderate (1405), but the quality just isn’t there for a good paddle. By Wednesday the 22nd, the swell drops right off. We’re looking at knee-high stuff at best for the rest of the week. Thursday and Friday are tiny, with combined energy dropping into the double digits. It’s flat, and there’s really nothing to get excited about. Saturday the 25th is a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds and light rain. Not worth the drive.

Now, Sunday the 26th is where things start to get interesting. We’ve got a solid pulse of 6ft swell from the south coming in, and the wind is light and cross-offshore. The combined energy is moderate (987) and the period is short at 8 seconds, so it’s going to be a bit lumpy and close together, but it’s clean. This is your best window early on – a decent session for the intermediate crew.

Monday the 27th is a no-go. Strong onshore winds near gale force, blowing 31 mph, making a mess of the 5ft to 7ft swell. The combined energy is huge (1743), but the conditions are terrible. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The following week, starting Tuesday the 28th, we’ve got more size again – 7ft from the ESE – but the wind is cross-onshore and moderate to fresh. The sea state is lumpy and choppy, and it’s just not clean. The highlight finally comes on Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th. Wednesday morning brings 6ft from the ESE with light cross-offshore winds. The combined energy is strong (1070), and the period is 13 seconds, giving it some proper push. The afternoon is just as good, with 5ft from the ESE and clean conditions. This is the standout window for the whole outlook. Thursday the 30th is also good, with solid 5ft swell and clean conditions, but the wind picks up a touch in the afternoon.

After that, the swell fades back to small, marginal surf from Friday the 31st through to the weekend. The first week of August starts with a bang but it’s too big for Sponge Bay. Monday the 3rd of August sees a massive 15ft to 16ft swell from the south, with combined energy through the roof (7068 to 9112). The wind is good, but the swell is way too big, only for absolute experts with a death wish. Tuesday the 4th of August drops a little to 8ft to 10ft, and Tuesday afternoon is actually excellent for experienced surfers – clean, with light winds and a solid 8ft from the SE. The combined energy is very strong (2511). That’s a real standout for the hardcore crew. Wednesday the 5th of August is a write-off again with heavy rain and strong winds.

So, the best on offer: Sunday the 26th of July for a clean, fun session, and then the standout is Wednesday the 29th of July for the best combination of size, period, and clean conditions. For the experienced lot, Tuesday the 4th of August afternoon is a cracker, but it’s a long way out so keep an eye on the charts.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, strong winds from the SSW by Sun night).

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SSE
16
1.4
SSE
15
1.1
SSE
14
0.9
SSE
13
0.8
SSE
12
0.8
SSE
13
0.5
SSE
12
0.4
SSE
12
0.3
SSE
11
0.3
SSE
10
0.3
E
9
0.4
ESE
12
0.8
E
11
0.8
E
11
3
SSW
10
1
ESE
14
1.7
S
8
1.3
ESE
13
1.5
ESE
13
2.2
SE
13
2.4
SE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1310
856
421
257
187
189
86
56
23
19
15
50
157
157
1919
437
393
574
757
1599
2356
Wind (km/h)
5
WSW
5
SSE
15
NW
10
NW
10
E
10
WNW
10
NNW
15
NE
15
NW
15
NNW
20
NNW
25
NNE
20
WNW
20
WSW
25
WSW
10
NW
5
W
40
SSW
50
SSW
45
S
25
SSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
on
on
on
on
High Tide
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
3:34AM1.65m
4:09PM1.68m
Low Tide
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
9:52AM0.75m
10:32PM0.84m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:08
5:09
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:14
 mm
3
3
3
1
10
5
2
Temp °C
10
10
9
10
11
10
12
14
9
14
15
13
12
12
10
9
8
11
10
10
10
Feels °C
8
8
6
8
9
8
8
10
5
9
10
8
6
7
3
8
6
1
-1
0
2
  • 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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