Sponge bay surf break

Sponge bay surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Saturday 28 Feb 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
20.1° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Sunday (Mar 01) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 12 days are 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Mar 03) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Friday (Mar 06) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sun 1st Mar)3ft (0.9m) 6s
Best Surf10PM (Tue 3rd Mar)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful10AM (Tue 3rd Mar)13ft (4.0m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Sat night, strong winds from the SSW by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Mon night, calm by Wed morning).

Saturday
28
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Fri
06
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.4
SSE
1.5
SSE
1.1
SE
0.9
SE
0.7
SE
0.7
ESE
0.4
SSE
2.5
S
2.3
SSE
4
S
4
S
3.5
S
1.8
SSE
1.4
SSE
1.2
SSE
0.7
SSE
0.6
SSE
0.6
SE
0.7
SE
0.6
SE
0.6
ESE
Period(s) (?)666666138810111112111110991199
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)14017785623735578157373078335227348594503118656651216754
Wind
(km/h)
25
S
20
SSE
15
SE
10
N
10
N
20
NE
25
SSW
35
SSW
40
SSW
40
SW
40
SW
35
SSW
15
SW
5
W
15
E
10
NNW
10
NNW
15
ENE
10
NW
10
NNW
25
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
on
cross-
on
offoffcross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
glasscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:18AM
1.82
3:50PM
1.72
4:30AM
1.81
5:13PM
1.74
5:51AM
1.85
6:20PM
1.80
6:51AM
1.93
7:13PM
1.87
7:37AM
1.99
7:59PM
1.93
8:18AM
2.02
8:42PM
1.96
8:58AM
2.02
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:40AM
0.68
10:09PM
0.58
10:55AM
0.68
11:24PM
0.56
12:08PM
0.64
12:27AM
0.52
1:06PM
0.57
1:18AM
0.47
1:54PM
0.52
2:03AM
0.45
2:36PM
0.48
2:47AM
0.45
3:16PM
0.46
Saturday
28
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Fri
06
Sunrise-6:48--6:50--6:50--6:52--6:52--6:54--6:54-
Sunset--7:51--7:49--7:47--7:45--7:45--7:43--7:42
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
5-----2414-----------
Temp. °C181617161919171314131517151517151820192020
Feels °C (?)1512141415151555579111314131518191716
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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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