Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 14 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
12.9°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 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SSE swell with 1,125 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period with SE 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 16 days are 1.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 15th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 10s
Best Surf 9AM (Mon 21st Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Most Powerful 3PM (Mon 21st Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty comin’ at ya with a look at what’s on the cards for Sponge Bay over the next couple of weeks. We’re looking at a beach and reef setup here, fairly exposed to a SSE swell. Water temps are about average for this time of year, nothin’ weird going on.

Right off the bat, this Tuesday morning is actually not too bad. We’ve got a clean 3ft wave from the SSE with a period of 11 seconds – that’s a bit of groundswell in the mix, and light offshore winds from the north. Combined energy is 245 (moderate). It’s surfable, but it’s pretty ordinary. Not a standout, just a paddle to wet the suit. The afternoon turns messy with a cross-offshore breeze.

Wednesday and Thursday mornings offer small, clean waves – around 2ft to 3ft – with light offshore or cross-off winds. Still just ordinary conditions, but if you’re a beginner or just want a quiet session, it’s doable. Crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have the place to yourself on these small days.

Friday and Saturday get a bit rugged. Friday brings onshore gunk, and Saturday serves up a lumpy, cross-onshore 6ft swell with short, weak period. Not worth gettin’ out of bed for.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 21st of September: clear skies, light offshore breeze from the NNW, and a clean 4ft wave from the SSE with a 12-second period. Combined energy jumps to 861 (moderate to strong). That’s a proper session on the cards. The same afternoon sees a 5ft wave with a very long 17-second period from the SSE, energy hitting 1406 (strong). That’s groundswell rippin’ into the bay. The wind goes cross-shore in the arvo, creating a bit of chop, but the morning is the pick. This is the first true standout.

But the cream of the crop looks like Monday the 28th of September. A clean 7ft to 7ft wave from the south, period at 8 seconds. The morning sees cross-offshore winds, but the afternoon? Glassy conditions with the SSW wind dropping to almost nothing. Combined energy around 895 to 1110 (strong). This is expert territory at 6ft+ and the southerly swell is a good fit for the break. This is your best shot at a glassy, powerful session. Definitely one to circle on the calendar, though it’s a long way out.

Between those two standouts, there’s a fair bit of junk. Friday the 25th through Sunday the 27th are all cross-onshore or messy, with poor conditions. That stretch is about three days of nothin’ to write home about.

Also, on Wednesday the 30th of September, there’s a promising clean 4ft wave with a very long 16-second period from the SSE. Energy is 750 (moderate to strong). That’s another potential session if the forecast holds. The longer period suits a point or reef, and Sponge Bay is a beach and reef mix, so expect it to hold up nicely.

Early on, the 2ft to 2ft days around the 27th are barely worth mentioning – just a splash around.

So, bottom line: grab Monday the 21st morning, and do not miss Monday the 28th afternoon if you’re an experienced surfer lookin’ for a glassy, solid wave. The rest is small or messy.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Thu night, strong winds from the SSW by Fri afternoon).

Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SSE
12
1
SSE
11
1
SE
10
0.9
SE
9
0.8
SE
9
0.7
SE
9
0.9
SE
12
0.7
SE
10
0.7
ESE
10
0.4
SE
14
0.8
ESE
13
1.9
SSE
7
2.4
SSE
8
1.8
SSE
8
1.5
SSE
8
1
SSE
8
0.7
SSE
12
0.6
ESE
10
1.3
SSE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
353
242
196
128
103
81
199
100
81
51
202
326
745
356
320
133
152
73
208
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
10
N
20
NE
20
NW
10
WNW
10
E
20
NW
15
NNW
20
NNW
10
NNE
35
SSW
45
SSW
30
SW
10
WSW
10
SSE
20
WNW
15
WSW
40
SSW
15
W
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
off
off
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
8:43AM2.00m
8:56PM1.97m
9:25AM1.96m
9:40PM1.91m
10:09AM1.91m
10:25PM1.84m
10:53AM1.85m
11:10PM1.78m
11:39AM1.79m
11:56PM1.72m
12:25PM1.75m
00:45AM1.67m
Low Tide
2:32AM0.43m
2:52PM0.48m
3:13AM0.47m
3:37PM0.54m
3:56AM0.53m
4:21PM0.61m
4:43AM0.61m
5:07PM0.67m
5:30AM0.69m
5:56PM0.73m
6:17AM0.76m
6:47PM0.77m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:09
6:07
6:05
6:03
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:57
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
 mm
13
4
1
2
Temp °C
10
13
14
12
14
15
12
17
16
14
10
11
11
15
14
15
16
10
10
Feels °C
8
9
9
9
12
12
7
12
12
11
2
1
3
11
11
11
13
2
3
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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