Sponge bay surf break

Sponge bay surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Saturday 24 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Sponge bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
20.2° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Sponge bay this week:

The surf forecast for Sponge bay over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 26) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 12 days are 1.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 26) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 29) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Mon 26th Jan)3ft (0.9m) 12s
Best Surf 7PM (Mon 26th Jan)3ft (0.9m) 12s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 26th Jan)3.5ft (1.0m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
Friday
30
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.7
E
0.6
E
0.7
SSE
0.7
SSE
0.6
E
0.6
E
1
SSE
0.8
SSE
0.9
SSE
0.9
SSE
0.9
SSE
0.7
SSE
0.6
SSE
0.6
E
0.6
SSE
0.5
E
0.5
E
0.5
E
0.5
E
0.8
S
0.8
S
Period(s) (?)9910912121212111010101010910109965
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)76561029099110329189206146173106787462494745414128
Wind
(km/h)
30
NW
30
WNW
25
NW
25
NW
20
WNW
25
WNW
10
W
10
E
10
NW
5
WNW
25
SSE
15
SSW
10
SSW
5
SE
10
NNW
15
N
20
ENE
15
WNW
20
SSW
25
S
10
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
oncross-
on
onglassoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
ononcross
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:04AM
2.01
11:21PM
1.93
11:47AM
2.01
12:07AM
1.94
12:30PM
1.99
12:55AM
1.94
1:14PM
1.95
1:45AM
1.92
2:01PM
1.90
2:36AM
1.89
2:54PM
1.84
3:29AM
1.86
3:54PM
1.78
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:21PM
0.53
5:26AM
0.50
6:05PM
0.48
6:11AM
0.50
6:50PM
0.45
6:59AM
0.51
7:37PM
0.43
7:50AM
0.54
8:26PM
0.43
8:45AM
0.57
9:18PM
0.45
9:44AM
0.61
10:16PM
0.49
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
Friday
30
Sunrise6:09--6:09--6:11--6:11--6:13--6:13--6:16--
Sunset-8:29--8:28--8:28--8:27--8:25--8:24--8:24-
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
----------122--------
Temp. °C202017192319212018201918171817232321192018
Feels °C (?)141512152015191917171617171916212120161718
  • 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 12 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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