Sponge bay surf break

Sponge bay surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Wednesday 18 Mar 2026 NZDT
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
19.0° 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 Wednesday (Mar 18) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period. 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 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Mar 20) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Mar 19) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 18th Mar)1.5ft (0.5m) 12s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 18th Mar)1.5ft (0.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 4AM (Fri 20th Mar)13ft (4.0m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the SSE by Thu night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tue
24
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
SSE
0.4
SSE
0.4
SSE
0.7
E
0.9
E
2.5
E
3
ESE
2.5
ESE
2.5
ESE
2.3
SSE
1.5
SE
1.4
SE
1.4
SE
1.4
SE
1.3
SE
1.1
SE
1.1
SE
1.1
SE
1
ESE
0.9
ESE
1.1
ESE
Period(s) (?)1212116610111010999101010101010999
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)119454032661334204916131207791328321376363315255220211168141189
Wind
(km/h)
10
N
10
N
25
ENE
0
NNW
25
SE
25
SE
35
S
30
SSW
30
SSW
25
SW
15
SW
25
SSE
10
SW
10
SSW
25
SSE
10
S
20
SSE
10
SE
10
ENE
10
NE
20
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offoffcross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:25AM
1.90
6:42PM
1.88
7:08AM
1.99
7:25PM
1.96
7:47AM
2.05
8:09PM
2.03
8:27AM
2.09
8:53PM
2.09
9:10AM
2.09
9:39PM
2.11
9:57AM
2.06
10:28PM
2.09
10:50AM
2.00
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:04AM
0.64
12:39PM
0.63
12:49AM
0.56
1:23PM
0.54
1:31AM
0.49
2:04PM
0.45
2:15AM
0.45
2:46PM
0.39
3:00AM
0.42
3:28PM
0.36
3:49AM
0.43
4:15PM
0.37
4:40AM
0.46
5:06PM
0.41
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tue
24
Sunrise-7:07--7:07--7:09--7:09--7:11--7:11--7:13-
Sunset--7:22--7:22--7:20--7:19--7:16--7:15--7:14
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
----44831---------1--
Temp. °C171919181817171717171817161716151617171717
Feels °C (?)151715161513121212131513141312131216161313
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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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