Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
12.7° C
1.3° 

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 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSE swell with 671 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s 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 21) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. 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 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 21st Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 8s
Best Surf 3PM (Fri 21st Aug)4ft (1.2m) 16s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 21st Aug)4ft (1.2m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

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

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow patch to get through. The first few days are pretty ordinary, with a small, weak swell and tricky winds making it a write-off for a proper session. The water’s sitting at 55°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good wetsuit if you’re heading out.

Things start to show a glimmer of life on Friday the 21st of August. The morning sees a small 2ft SSE groundswell with a long 16-second period, and light cross-off winds from the NW. It’s not huge, but the clean conditions make it a nice little option for a beginner-friendly session. The afternoon cleans up even more with the swell pushing to 4ft, same direction and period, and a gentle cross-off breeze. The energy is moderate (809), and it’s looking like the best of the early window.

The weekend is patchy again with dropping swell and choppy wind, so not much to write home about. The following week stays small and inconsistent, with only tiny waves and average conditions right through to the end of August.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The standout window arrives on Monday the 31st of August. The morning session is the pick of the entire forecast. We’re looking at a solid 5ft SSE groundswell with a very long 17-second period, light cross-off winds, and clean conditions. The combined energy is strong (1444), and this is a proper groundswell that’s going to offer some real punch at Sponge Bay’s beach and reef setup. The optimum direction is SSE, so it’s hitting the spot perfectly. This one’s for experienced surfers – the size and power will be too much for beginners.

The following days keep the momentum going. Tuesday the 1st of September has a 7ft SSE swell in the morning, again with light cross-off winds and clean conditions. The energy is strong (1366), and the swell is hitting the optimum direction. Wednesday the 2nd of September morning is the biggest of the run, with a 7ft SSE swell, light offshore winds from the N, and clean conditions. The combined energy is very strong (1647), and this is only for expert surfers. The swell is a bit shorter period (13 seconds) but still packs plenty of punch.

By the end of the first week of September, the swell starts to ease back, but there’s still some fun, clean waves on offer, especially on the morning of Thursday the 3rd with 5ft SE swell and gentle offshore winds. The energy is moderate (923), and it’s a good option for a quieter session.

Overall, the first week is a bit of a dud, but the last few days of August and the very start of September deliver the real goods. Get your calendar marked for the 31st of August and the 1st of September mornings – those are the standouts.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
2
3
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
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)
1.8
SE
9
1.9
S
8
1.1
SSE
8
0.6
SSE
16
1.2
SSE
16
0.9
SSE
13
0.9
SSE
12
0.8
SSE
12
0.6
SSE
11
0.5
SE
11
0.4
SE
10
0.3
ESE
13
0.6
S
7
0.3
SSE
17
1.2
SSE
13
0.9
SSE
13
0.8
SSE
12
0.4
SSE
15
0.4
SSE
16
0.3
SSE
15
0.3
SSE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
539
505
160
211
671
242
210
153
79
55
34
34
34
59
482
249
175
78
85
44
40
Wind (km/h)
25
SW
20
SSW
10
WNW
10
NW
15
ENE
15
NNW
20
NW
10
WNW
25
NW
25
NW
20
NW
10
W
10
NW
20
ENE
15
NW
20
NW
15
NW
20
NW
20
NW
10
NW
15
NNW
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:32AM1.90m
11:48PM1.87m
12:17PM1.84m
00:30AM1.79m
1:01PM1.78m
1:14AM1.71m
1:46PM1.73m
2:05AM1.65m
2:36PM1.70m
3:08AM1.63m
3:41PM1.69m
4:20AM1.65m
4:58PM1.73m
Low Tide
5:42PM0.65m
6:09AM0.62m
6:28PM0.72m
6:53AM0.69m
7:17PM0.77m
7:38AM0.75m
8:09PM0.81m
8:27AM0.80m
9:07PM0.83m
9:27AM0.82m
10:10PM0.83m
10:32AM0.78m
11:11PM0.79m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:46
6:45
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
 mm
Temp °C
12
12
9
12
12
10
15
17
14
15
16
15
12
12
11
15
17
13
18
20
16
Feels °C
6
7
6
10
9
7
12
13
9
9
11
10
8
7
7
10
12
9
14
18
13
  • 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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