Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with 3,147 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period with S 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 01) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 2.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 16 days are 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for us over the next couple of weeks.
It’s a pretty quiet start to the run. We’ve got a few days of nothing much to write home about, but patience is key because there’s a real standout window coming up mid-week that’s worth getting excited about. After a bit of a lull, the surf builds back towards the end of the second week, though that one’s a bit further out.
For the first break on the menu, we’re looking at Sponge Bay (Sponge-Bay). The water temp is sitting right where you’d expect for this time of year, so no need to dig out the extra rubber.
Monday 31 August is a write-off. Small, weak stuff with a moderate breeze, poor conditions all day.
Tuesday 1 September is still no good. The morning sees a jump in size to 10 ft, but it’s from the SSW and with a strong cross-onshore wind, it’s going to be a messy, lumpy mess even for the brave. The afternoon drops a bit but remains marginal.
Wednesday 2 September is our first real highlight. The morning is clean with a cross-off breeze and chest-high waves at 6 ft from the SSE, with a nice long period of 14 seconds giving them some push. The energy is moderate (1448). But the afternoon is the absolute gem. Glassy conditions, light easterly breeze, and the swell holding at 6 ft from the SSE, but the period stretches to a very long 17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy is strong (2496). For a beach and reef set-up, these long-period swells can wrap around nicely, and the glassy surface will make for some unreal, clean lines. This is the standout session of the whole forecast. The crowd situation is ‘sometimes’ so you might have some company, but for quality like this, it’s worth it.
Thursday 3 September rolls back into smaller, weaker surf with a moderate breeze, and the break is back to poor conditions by the afternoon.
From Friday 4 September through to the end of the first week, the swell drops right off. We’re talking tiny, weak waves with next to no energy. The wind is mostly cross-off but the swell is just not there. There’s a small window on Sunday 6 September morning with clean, offshore conditions and a little 1 ft wave, but it’s very ordinary.
The following week starts slow. Monday 7 and Tuesday morning 8 September have a bit of a pulse back, with Tuesday morning offering 4 ft from the SSE and a 13-second period, moderate energy (540), and clean conditions with a light breeze. It’s a solid option but not a standout.
After that, it’s back to flat and small for a long stretch. Wednesday 9 through Friday 11 September is all tiny, poor surf with strong winds and cross-onshore conditions. The combined energy stays in the double digits.
Saturday 12 September morning is a nice surprise. Glassy conditions again, with a 2 ft swell from the SSE and a long 16-second period, giving good shape. The energy is moderate (342). It’s a good, clean, small-wave session.
Sunday 13 September is a big one for the experienced crew. The morning brings a 10 ft swell from the south, but it’s predicted to be too big for the break. The wind is light offshore, but that’s a lot of water moving. The afternoon settles down to a clean 6 ft from the SSE with a 14-second period, strong energy (1168), and good conditions. Another solid option.
The last few days of the forecast, from Monday 14 to Tuesday 15 September, taper off quickly into small, onshore, poor surf again.
So, to wrap it up: the best bet on offer is hands-down Wednesday 2 September afternoon at Sponge Bay. Glassy, long-period groundswell, and chest-to-head high waves. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. The Tuesday morning of the same day is also a clean option, and the Sunday morning of the 13th is for the big-wave hunters only.
Keep your eyes on the forecast, but for now, I’m calling it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Mon morning, calm by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
229 | 312 | 1532 | 2553 | 1161 | 1849 | 994 | 1961 | 983 | 396 | 257 | 79 | 47 | 27 | 9 | 8 | 33 | 14 | 44 | 44 | 62 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:24PM2.02m | 8:46AM1.99m | 9:04PM2.02m | 9:29AM2.00m | 9:48PM1.98m | 10:14AM1.99m | 10:35PM1.94m | 11:03AM1.96m | 11:23PM1.89m | 11:55AM1.92m | 00:14AM1.84m | 12:49PM1.88m | 1:09AM1.78m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:10PM0.50m | 2:42AM0.47m | 2:52PM0.48m | 3:22AM0.44m | 3:36PM0.48m | 4:05AM0.44m | 4:22PM0.50m | 4:53AM0.45m | 5:11PM0.54m | 5:44AM0.47m | 6:05PM0.58m | 6:37AM0.51m | 7:03PM0.63m | ||||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 15 | SSE 18 |
229 | 312 | 1045 | 1442 | 1161 | 1849 | 994 | 1961 | 983 | 396 | 257 | 79 | 47 | 27 | 9 | 8 | 33 | 14 | 13 | 44 | 62 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | NE 11 | ENE 10 | NE 10 | E 10 | SSE 18 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 4 | SSW 4 | SSE 9 | S 15 | ENE 4 | SSE 15 | SSE 9 | ENE 5 |
49 | 96 | 19 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 352 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 44 | 8 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | NE 11 | — | — | — | E 9 | NE 9 | SE 12 | SE 12 | — | SE 11 | — | S 14 | NE 5 | S 15 | E 10 | S 6 | ENE 3 | NE 5 | E 9 |
15 | 7 | 5 | — | — | — | 2 | 13 | 6 | 5 | — | 5 | — | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 3 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | — | — | NNE 9 | — | W 3 | NW 3 | — | — | — | NNW 2 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | NNE 3 | — |
— | 2 | 1532 | 2553 | — | — | 32 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 10 | 42 | 53 | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 697 | 46 | 46 | 215 | 45 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











