
Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 1 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 2 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 3 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, E swell with 613 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 2 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with E 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 Thursday (Jul 02) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 14s. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 03) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 05) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Thu 2nd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Thu 2nd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 3rd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 2 | Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wed 8 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
457 | 367 | 296 | 319 | 505 | 613 | 574 | 433 | 338 | 269 | 200 | 206 | 194 | 202 | 194 | 164 | 162 | 196 | 224 | 247 | 514 | |
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 | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | on |
High Tide | 7:29AM1.70m | 8:04PM1.78m | 8:18AM1.74m | 8:49PM1.83m | 9:04AM1.78m | 9:34PM1.87m | 9:47AM1.80m | 10:18PM1.91m | 10:29AM1.82m | 10:59PM1.93m | 11:12AM1.84m | 11:39PM1.94m | 11:56AM1.85m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:36AM0.78m | 1:38PM0.69m | 2:23AM0.75m | 2:26PM0.68m | 3:08AM0.71m | 3:12PM0.65m | 3:52AM0.67m | 3:55PM0.62m | 4:35AM0.64m | 4:37PM0.59m | 5:17AM0.59m | 5:18PM0.57m | 5:59AM0.54m | 6:00PM0.55m | |||||||
— | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | |
— | — | 4:57 | — | — | 4:57 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 5:00 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 |
457 | 367 | 296 | 319 | 505 | 613 | 574 | 433 | 338 | 269 | 200 | 206 | 194 | 202 | 194 | 164 | 162 | 196 | 224 | 247 | 514 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 8 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 21 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 |
181 | 183 | 152 | 89 | 33 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 28 | 59 | 57 | 37 | 41 | 37 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 8 | N 11 | — | — | NE 10 | S 10 | — | S 22 | S 13 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 9 | S 9 |
— | 200 | 140 | 82 | 54 | 28 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | 9 | 3 | 35 | 59 | 52 | 48 | 17 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NE 4 | — | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 18 | — | 38 | 98 | 217 | 199 | 159 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
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.










