Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 17s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSW swell with 2,598 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 17s 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 (Sep 07) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – lookin' at the next 16 days at Sponge Bay, it's a tough watch for most of it. There's a whole lotta nothin' and then a very brief, very specific window that could get the heart racin' if you're experienced.
The first week and a half is pretty much a write-off. From now right through until about the 11th of September, the swell is tiny, the winds are mostly cross, and the energy is weak. You'll be starin' at flat, lumpy lines. From the 4th to the 11th, the combined energy barely kicks past 100 (hitting just 112 on the 9th and 118 on the 11th), which is just a whisper of movement. It's not worth paddlin' out for the most part.
There's a very small, brief window on Saturday the 12th of September. The swell picks up to 4 ft from the SSE, with energy hitting 311, and the wind is clean cross-off from the NNW in the morning. It's still not a standout, but it's the first time you might see a few fun, rideable runners at Sponge Bay. The crowd factor is "sometimes" here, so you might have some company.
Then the real tease comes mid-week. Wednesday the 16th of September is the one. A proper pulse of long-period groundswell, 8 ft at 16 seconds from the SSE, with clean north-northwest winds. That's a serious amount of water moving, the combined energy is a massive 3164, and the report says excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers. The period over 15 seconds means it's a deep-water swell, so at Sponge Bay (a beach and reef setup), it might grind a bit straight, but the power will be there. This is an expert-only day – that 8 ft size is too much for beginners. The morning is the pick. It's a long way off, so keep an eye on it, but if it lines up, it'll be the best surf on offer.
So, to sum up: the first 11 days are pretty grim. The 12th offers a tiny glimpse of something. The 16th of September is the true standout for experienced surfers only. After that, it drops away again. The water is sitting at 55° for the first mention, which is a bit colder than normal for the time of year.
— Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 9 | SSW 10 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 41 | 23 | 26 | 34 | 32 | 64 | 61 | 96 | 26 | 49 | 14 | 28 | 39 | 185 | 698 | 318 | 96 | 55 | 43 | 23 |
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-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:23PM1.89m | 11:55AM1.92m | 00:14AM1.84m | 12:49PM1.88m | 1:09AM1.78m | 1:45PM1.84m | 2:13AM1.74m | 2:51PM1.83m | 3:33AM1.75m | 4:11PM1.86m | 4:48AM1.81m | 5:18PM1.94m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:11PM0.54m | 5:44AM0.47m | 6:05PM0.58m | 6:37AM0.51m | 7:03PM0.63m | 7:32AM0.54m | 8:06PM0.66m | 8:34AM0.56m | 9:17PM0.66m | 9:47AM0.55m | 10:31PM0.62m | 10:55AM0.51m | 11:34PM0.55m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 18 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 17 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 11 | SSE 16 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | S 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 41 | 23 | 26 | 34 | 32 | 64 | 16 | 96 | 12 | 49 | 14 | 12 | 21 | 185 | 242 | 180 | 96 | 55 | 43 | 23 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SSW 5 | S 15 | S 15 | SSE 9 | S 18 | SSE 18 | E 10 | SSE 16 | S 9 | ENE 5 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 7 | 61 | 2 | 26 | 2 | 2 | 28 | 39 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 16 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 4 | — | E 10 | NE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 12 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | E 9 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | SE 12 | SSE 11 |
| kJ | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 11 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | — | — | ENE 3 | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 5 | — | — | S 4 | — | SSW 10 | S 9 | — | — | — | SW 4 |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | 12 | — | 698 | 318 | — | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 3 | 113 | 45 | 46 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 44 | 36 | 36 | 42 | 1 | 9 | 50 |
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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