Sponge bay surf break

Sponge bay surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Tuesday 14 Apr 2026 NZST
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
18.6° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 17) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Apr 19) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 17th Apr)1.5ft (0.5m) 14s
Best Surf 9AM (Tue 21st Apr)8ft (2.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 6AM (Tue 21st Apr)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
E
1
E
0.8
E
0.7
E
0.6
E
0.4
ESE
0.4
ESE
0.8
SSW
0.5
E
0.9
SSE
1.2
SSE
0.6
SSE
0.4
ESE
0.3
ESE
0.2
ESE
0.2
E
0.1
E
0.1
E
0.1
S
0.4
E
0.6
S
Period(s) (?)131312121211115141311912111110101013311
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)42334019313999404037101294343684625129224388
Wind
(km/h)
25
NW
15
NW
25
NW
25
WNW
5
SW
35
WNW
25
WNW
25
SW
15
WNW
15
NW
15
N
15
NNW
25
NNW
20
N
20
N
20
NNW
20
NW
15
NW
10
SW
20
SSE
55
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
oncross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:22PM
1.77
3:48AM
1.88
4:13PM
1.85
4:38AM
1.95
5:00PM
1.94
5:22AM
2.01
5:46PM
2.02
6:06AM
2.06
6:33PM
2.09
6:51AM
2.07
7:21PM
2.13
7:39AM
2.06
8:12PM
2.13
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:17AM
0.68
9:33PM
0.66
10:06AM
0.61
10:22PM
0.58
10:54AM
0.52
11:08PM
0.51
11:39AM
0.43
11:54PM
0.45
12:24PM
0.36
12:42AM
0.42
1:09PM
0.32
1:33AM
0.42
1:57PM
0.33
2:28AM
0.45
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Sunrise6:33--6:33--6:35--6:35--6:37--6:37--6:39--
Sunset-5:40--5:39--5:38--5:37--5:36--5:34--5:32-
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
Rain (mm)
--------------5----853
Temp. °C212116181916191814192017191918181913151515
Feels °C (?)18181313171115121016171415151515141012116
  • 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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