Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SSE swell with 1,165 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. 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 1.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 12PM. 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 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the table for Sponge Bay.
The water’s running at about 54°, which is a bit cooler than the long-term average for this time of year – about 3° colder, so don’t forget the extra rubber.
The start is quiet. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th bring small SSE swell around 1 to 3 feet, surfable but nothing to write home about. The energy is moderate (124 to 243), and conditions are clean enough, but it’s just average.
Things get interesting from Wednesday the 26th morning. Swell is still small at around 2 feet, but the period jumps to a very long 17 seconds. That’s some serious groundswell energy, and with an offshore breeze and clean conditions, you’ll see some nice shaped waves. Energy is moderate (370).
The best session of the whole run looks like Thursday the 27th, especially the afternoon. You’ve got a solid SSE swell at 5 feet, a long 17-second period, light cross-offshore wind, and the combined energy is strong at 1164. This is the pick of the week by a long shot. The reef sections should be offering up some proper lines. It’s a beginner-friendly break, so 5 feet is a fun size for most.
Friday the 28th holds decent with 4 feet in the morning and clean conditions, but the afternoon wind picks up.
The weekend of the 30th and 31st drops right off – tiny waves, maybe 1 to 2 feet, and very low energy. A good time to take a break.
On Tuesday the 1st of September, we get a massive spike – 10 to 12 feet of S swell with a 15-second period. That is way too big for this spot. Energy readings (5528 and 8288) show it’s a beast. Only for experts or kamikaze types.
Into early September, it gets messy. Wednesday the 2nd has wind gusts hitting 22 mph, making things lumpy. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are poor with cross-shore winds and a choppy mess.
We fade out into small, weak surf from the 5th onward. The 6th of September is almost flat, with just 0.7 feet and poor onshore wind. There’s a slight bump on Monday the 7th with 4 feet and offshore wind, but it’s nothing special.
So, to sum it up: Thursday the 27th is your day. Everything else is either too small, too big, or blown out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | SSE 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 15 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 101 | 76 | 475 | 227 | 131 | 231 | 311 | 203 | 165 | 705 | 1152 | 786 | 467 | 362 | 196 | 147 | 135 | 99 | 57 | 53 | 29 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | off | off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:36PM1.70m | 3:08AM1.63m | 3:41PM1.69m | 4:20AM1.65m | 4:58PM1.73m | 5:17AM1.71m | 5:51PM1.81m | 6:03AM1.79m | 6:32PM1.89m | 6:45AM1.86m | 7:10PM1.96m | 7:25AM1.92m | 7:46PM2.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:07PM0.83m | 9:27AM0.82m | 10:10PM0.83m | 10:32AM0.78m | 11:11PM0.79m | 11:26AM0.72m | 00:02AM0.73m | 12:10PM0.65m | 00:46AM0.66m | 12:50PM0.58m | 1:26AM0.59m | 1:30PM0.53m | 2:04AM0.52m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 15 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 6 |
| kJ | 101 | 58 | 475 | 227 | 131 | 231 | 311 | 203 | 165 | 705 | 1152 | 786 | 467 | 362 | 196 | 147 | 135 | 99 | 57 | 53 | 29 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | SSE 15 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | SSE 16 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | SSE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NE 7 | ENE 5 | S 6 | S 4 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 17 | 76 | 31 | 16 | 51 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 25 | 12 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 3 | 19 | 3 | 25 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | ESE 13 | NE 4 | NE 5 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | S 18 | — | — | NE 10 | NE 10 | SE 15 | E 6 | NE 6 | SE 13 | SE 15 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 6 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 24 | 43 | 33 | 6 | — | — | 4 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 5 | NNE 4 | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 4 | — | NNE 6 | NNE 5 | NNE 7 | S 3 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | 7 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | 15 | 16 | 57 | 1 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
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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