Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 07 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
13.0° C
1.2° 

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 7 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SSE swell with 1,080 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. 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 1.7m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 8s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Fri 7th Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Sat 8th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 13s
Most Powerful 9PM (Fri 7th Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a bit of a slow burner for the next couple of weeks, but there’s a real standout down the line if you’re patient.

The action kicks off this Friday, the 7th of August, with a solid pulse. The water is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 55°, so don’t forget the booties. The morning session at Sponge Bay is looking tidy with a clean 5ft swell from the southeast, a 10-second period, and a light cross-off breeze from the northwest. The wave energy is moderate (895). It’s a good, clean start for the weekend.

Friday afternoon the swell bumps up to 5ft, and the period stretches out to a very long 15 seconds. That’s some serious groundswell energy (1537), but it’s pushing from the SE. For a beach-and-reef setup like this, that long period can make the waves break a bit straight, so it’s one for the experienced crew. The wind is still clean, though.

Saturday the 8th keeps the good vibes rolling. Morning and afternoon both offer clean 4ft swell from the SSE, with a 12-second period and light breezes. The energy is still solid (866 and 761). This is a classic, fun weekend size.

Sunday the 9th sees the swell drop a little, but the morning brings a clean 3ft from the SE with an offshore wind. The afternoon is even smaller at 2ft, but the wind stays offshore and clean. It’s gentle, small-wave fun.

After that, the surf gets very ordinary. Monday the 10th through to Saturday the 15th of August is a real flat spell. The swell height barely scrapes past 3ft on a couple of mornings, but the wind turns cross-on or the period drops short, leaving it poor or just surfable. You’ll be looking at a long gap of nothing special.

Now, here’s the payoff. Sunday the 16th of August. Things get heavy. The morning brings a solid 8ft swell from the SSW, with a 9-second period and clean cross-off wind. The energy is pumping (1546). That’s excellent for experienced surfers, but at that size, beginners should stay out of the water. The afternoon jumps to a massive 10ft from the south – the energy is huge (2670) – and the wind is near glassy. The swell is too big for this break, but if you’re an expert and you know the spot, that’s a serious, heavy window.

Monday the 17th of August is still cranking at 10ft in the morning, but the wind stays clean. Again, expert-only territory. The afternoon turns ugly with a cross-on wind, and that’s the end of the quality. The following days are a write-off with strong onshore winds and blown-out surf.

The standout here is clear: Sunday the 16th of August morning. The 8ft SSW swell, with clean wind and that moderate energy, is the best on offer. The afternoon is bigger, but it’s a beast. If you’re a confident surfer, that’s your window.

This is Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
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
4
3
3
3
1
2
2
1
1
0
2
2
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SE
10
1.6
SE
15
1.7
SSE
14
1.3
SSE
12
1.3
SSE
12
1.1
SE
11
1
SE
11
0.6
SE
14
0.8
SE
12
0.6
SE
10
0.6
SE
10
1.4
SSW
8
1.1
SSE
9
1
SSE
9
0.9
SE
9
0.6
SE
8
0.7
SE
8
0.6
ESE
7
0.8
E
6
0.7
E
6
0.8
E
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
363
1187
990
521
480
283
229
147
161
87
61
284
212
164
123
55
57
35
52
39
68
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
15
ENE
10
NW
10
NW
10
ENE
15
NNW
10
N
15
N
10
NNW
10
NW
15
SE
10
WNW
10
WNW
10
SE
10
NNW
15
NNE
20
NE
10
NNW
10
NNW
15
NE
10
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
12:16PM1.90m
00:32AM1.88m
1:05PM1.89m
1:22AM1.83m
1:58PM1.86m
2:20AM1.79m
2:55PM1.84m
3:29AM1.77m
4:07PM1.85m
4:46AM1.79m
5:27PM1.91m
5:54AM1.85m
6:28PM2.00m
Low Tide
6:20PM0.54m
6:56AM0.45m
7:14PM0.57m
7:47AM0.47m
8:12PM0.60m
8:44AM0.49m
9:16PM0.63m
9:49AM0.51m
10:31PM0.63m
11:01AM0.49m
11:47PM0.60m
12:04PM0.45m
00:48AM0.54m
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:01
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:58
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:27
5:27
5:28
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
8
9
8
11
12
10
13
13
13
14
13
11
11
11
10
12
13
13
16
17
13
Feels °C
5
5
5
8
8
6
10
10
11
13
9
8
9
8
8
9
9
11
15
15
11
  • 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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