Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (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 ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly 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 | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | S 7 | SSE 17 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 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) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | ESE 10 | SSE 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | S 7 | S 6 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 |
| kJ | 460 | 222 | 160 | 157 | 671 | 242 | 210 | 153 | 79 | 55 | 25 | 34 | 33 | 20 | 482 | 249 | 175 | 78 | 45 | 44 | 40 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | SSE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 10 | ESE 13 | SSE 17 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 189 | 177 | 127 | 80 | 138 | 63 | 32 | 9 | 16 | 34 | 34 | 9 | 34 | 59 | 29 | 17 | 16 | 76 | 85 | 18 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 13 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | — | SSE 16 | E 15 | E 14 | ESE 11 | NE 13 | — | NE 4 | S 18 | ESE 13 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | — | 98 | 58 | 211 | — | 97 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 7 | — | 1 | 6 | 34 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NW 3 | — | — | — | NNW 2 | WNW 2 | — | N 5 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 539 | 505 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 42 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 44 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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.
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