
Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SSE swell with 1,592 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period with SE 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 (Sep 09) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period. 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 1.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surf’s up... or at least, it’s gonna be. Let’s get real about the next couple of weeks at Sponge Bay.
Honestly, for the next few days, it’s pretty gutless. We’ve got a stretch from now through Saturday morning that’s looking weak and messy. The swell’s tiny, mostly under 3 feet, and the wind’s all over the shop. Thursday and Friday are just going to be a battle with onshores and chop, nothing worth getting wet for. You’d be better off sorting your gear or watching the cams. This is a real flat spell, a solid few days of nothing on offer.
Then, hold onto your boardies. Sunday morning (the 13th) is the standout. That’s the one to circle. We’ve got chest-high plus surf at 6 feet from the SSE, and the energy is pumping with a strong 1474 combined swell energy. The wind is light and cross-offshore, WNW at 6 mph, which is going to leave it glassy and clean. This is proper Sponge Bay (Bay) firing. The period is a long 15 seconds, so it’s got some serious push. That’s a morning for the experienced crew, as it’s over 5 feet, and it’ll be a bit much for the beginners. Get on it early, because the wind swings onshore in the afternoon and wrecks it.
After that, the surf settles back down. Monday (the 14th) has some clean, fun options with about 4 feet of swell and offshore or cross-offshore winds. It’s not as powerful as Sunday, but it’ll be clean and more manageable. A good chance for a few more people to get among it.
Then we drop back into another flat, ordinary run for a long time. Through the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th, we’re back to tiny, weak surf. There are some clean mornings, but there’s just no real swell to push through. It’s frustrating, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
Further out, there’s a glimmer for Saturday the 19th. The long-range models are hinting at a pulse of swell, around 4 feet, with a fresh offshore wind. It’s a promising call, but it’s a week and a half away, so treat it as a possibility, not a promise.
Then it’s more of the same through the 20th, 21st, and 22nd. Small, wind-affected, and poor. A couple of these days have some longer period swell, but it’s getting chopped up by onshore winds, especially that Wednesday the 23rd when we see a bigger 7 feet push but with a strong onshore wind. That’s going to be a raw, messy close-out. With that kind of wind and size, and it being a beach/reef setup, that day looks more interesting for a kite surfer than anyone on a paddleboard.
Water temp is sitting at 56°, which is a touch cooler than average for the time of year. Not a shock, but you’ll want the thicker suit.
So, to sum it up: this week is dead, get your chores done. Next Sunday morning (13th) is the big one, a proper clean, powerful session. The following Saturday (19th) is a long-shot backup. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 16 | SSE 19 | S 18 | SSE 18 | SSW 6 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
206 | 151 | 110 | 56 | 44 | 48 | 72 | 171 | 102 | 97 | 269 | 1103 | 1471 | 943 | 560 | 377 | 384 | 213 | 158 | 107 | 59 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:11PM1.86m | 4:48AM1.81m | 5:18PM1.94m | 5:44AM1.88m | 6:09PM2.01m | 6:33AM1.95m | 6:53PM2.05m | 7:17AM1.99m | 7:34PM2.05m | 8:00AM2.01m | 8:14PM2.02m | 8:43AM2.00m | 8:56PM1.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:47AM0.55m | 10:31PM0.62m | 10:55AM0.51m | 11:34PM0.55m | 11:50AM0.46m | 00:26AM0.48m | 12:37PM0.42m | 1:10AM0.44m | 1:23PM0.42m | 1:52AM0.42m | 2:08PM0.44m | 2:32AM0.43m | 2:52PM0.48m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 16 | 15 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | S 6 | S 7 | S 6 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 |
206 | 151 | 110 | 56 | 44 | 26 | 21 | 38 | 26 | 26 | 269 | 1103 | 1471 | 943 | 560 | 377 | 384 | 213 | 158 | 107 | 59 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 16 | SSE 19 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 17 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 12 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | ENE 4 | E 9 | E 8 | SSE 14 |
2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 48 | 72 | 47 | 23 | 97 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 37 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | S 8 | E 14 | ENE 8 | SSE 14 | S 18 | SSE 18 | ESE 7 | ENE 8 | E 13 | ENE 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 15 | SE 10 | E 10 | — | E 13 | — |
4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 36 | 171 | 102 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 8 | — | 3 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 2 | — | — | S 5 | — | — | SSW 6 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 2 | — | — | 36 | — | — | 94 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 44 | 0 | 10 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
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.










