Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 28 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
14.0°C
0.3° 

Sponge bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Sponge bay surf forecast from 27 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 29 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 30 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SSE swell with 1,503 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 28 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s 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 28) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 13s. 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 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 30) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Oct 01) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 28th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Best Surf10PM (Tue 29th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 17s
Most Powerful 1AM (Wed 30th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun night, light winds from the NW by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
28
Tuesday
29
Wednesday
30
Thursday
1
Friday
2
Saturday
3
Sunday
4
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
1
0
0
4
3
1
2
1
2
2
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
9
1.1
SSE
12
1
SSE
13
1.2
SSE
16
1.7
SSE
16
1.6
SSE
15
1.7
SSE
15
1.4
SSE
15
1.2
SSE
14
1.1
SSE
14
0.9
SSE
13
0.9
SSE
14
0.8
SSE
14
0.4
SSE
16
0.5
SSE
14
0.5
SSE
16
0.5
SSE
14
0.8
SSE
15
0.8
SSE
14
0.7
SSE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
242
201
339
367
679
1503
1198
1258
811
569
421
273
273
229
81
120
140
108
256
226
136
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
15
ESE
15
WNW
15
SW
20
SE
10
NW
5
NNE
30
ENE
15
NW
20
NW
10
ENE
15
WNW
5
WNW
10
E
25
NW
5
NW
15
SE
10
W
10
S
15
SE
5
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
7:48AM1.99m
8:05PM2.03m
8:30AM2.04m
8:45PM2.03m
9:14AM2.06m
9:29PM2.01m
10:00AM2.06m
10:19PM1.97m
10:50AM2.04m
11:14PM1.92m
11:45AM1.99m
00:08AM1.87m
12:41PM1.95m
1:04AM1.82m
Low Tide
1:53PM0.49m
2:22AM0.42m
2:37PM0.46m
3:03AM0.39m
3:23PM0.46m
3:47AM0.39m
4:12PM0.48m
4:36AM0.43m
5:05PM0.52m
5:30AM0.47m
6:00PM0.57m
6:27AM0.52m
6:58PM0.62m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
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6:47
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6:46
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6:43
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6:43
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6:41
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6:39
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:07
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—
7:08
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7:09
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7:10
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7:12
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7:13
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7:14
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 mm
—
—
—
—
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—
—
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1
Temp °C
14
15
10
14
13
12
14
14
14
18
19
14
13
15
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
Feels °C
10
11
6
9
9
10
9
8
10
14
16
9
12
14
8
10
10
10
11
11
12
  • 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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