Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
13.3° C
0.9° 

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 2 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 11s period, S swell with 5,859 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period with SE 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 (Aug 03) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 21s. 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 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Mon 3rd Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 10s
Best Surf 9AM (Thu 6th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 3AM (Wed 5th Aug)16ft (5.0m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

First up, we’ve got a long 16-day window for Sponge Bay, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. We’re looking at a beach and reef setup that’s fairly consistent, but the waiting game is on for the real good stuff. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about what you’d expect for the time of year, nothing wild there.

The first real chance to wet a line kicks off on Monday morning, the 3rd of August. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the SSE with a moderate 11-second period, and the wind is a light cross-offshore breeze from the NW. The combined energy is moderate at 317, so there’s some push but it’s not a standout. It’s a surfable wave, but the forecast says it’s marginal, so don’t expect perfection.

The next window worth looking at is Friday morning, the 7th of August. The swell drops a touch to 4ft from the SE, but the period is a very long 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is light and cross-off from the NW, keeping things clean. The combined energy jumps to 1606 (moderate to strong), so there’s power in the water. Just a heads up, that long period swell can make a beach break like this a bit straight and tricky, but with clean conditions, it might be worth a look for the more experienced crew.

Honestly, the real standout for the whole outlook is the following Monday, the 17th of August. Monday morning we’ve got a solid 12ft swell from the SSW, with clean cross-off winds from the NW. The combined energy is a massive 3458 (strong). Monday afternoon gets even better – 13ft from the S, light cross-off from the NE, and energy at 5033 (very strong). The wind and tide look favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. This is strictly for experts only; over 8ft is a big boy wave. If you’re a seasoned charger, this is your window. Tuesday the 18th of August also holds that big, clean energy with 10ft from the S, but again, it’s big and not for the faint of heart.

There’s a big gap of poor surf from the 10th right through to the 16th, with nothing but onshore slop, strong winds, and tiny waves. You’ll be better off staying home or doing some yard work during that stretch.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is that big swell window on the 17th and 18th of August for experts only. For the everyday surfer, the Friday the 7th of August might give you a clean, long-period wave if you can handle the straight lines. The rest is a bit of a struggle.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the SSW by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 5°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
1
2
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
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
11
1
SSE
10
1
SSE
12
1.2
SSE
15
3.5
S
11
4.5
S
11
3.5
SSE
12
4
S
12
3
S
12
3
S
11
1.8
SSW
11
1.1
SE
10
1.3
SE
10
1.3
SSE
17
1.7
SSE
15
1.3
SSE
13
1.1
SE
12
0.9
SE
11
0.8
SE
11
0.6
SSE
16
0.6
SSE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
305
220
283
573
2734
5230
3095
4445
2751
2157
787
255
315
848
1158
555
330
202
137
171
129
Wind (km/h)
20
NW
10
SSE
15
W
40
SSW
35
SW
45
SW
45
SSW
35
SW
30
SW
20
WSW
15
SSW
10
NW
10
NW
10
E
20
NW
15
NW
20
NNW
10
NW
10
WNW
20
S
15
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
High Tide
9:19AM1.89m
9:43PM1.98m
10:00AM1.91m
10:23PM1.98m
10:42AM1.92m
11:05PM1.95m
11:28AM1.91m
11:47PM1.92m
12:16PM1.90m
00:32AM1.88m
1:05PM1.89m
1:22AM1.83m
1:58PM1.86m
2:20AM1.79m
Low Tide
3:24PM0.54m
4:00AM0.54m
4:05PM0.52m
4:41AM0.50m
4:47PM0.51m
5:24AM0.47m
5:31PM0.52m
6:09AM0.46m
6:20PM0.54m
6:56AM0.45m
7:14PM0.57m
7:47AM0.47m
8:12PM0.60m
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:01
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:24
 mm
4
5
9
2
2
2
1
Temp °C
14
15
11
7
7
7
9
8
9
9
10
7
9
11
11
14
14
12
12
13
10
Feels °C
10
12
6
-2
-2
-4
-1
0
2
3
5
4
6
9
7
10
10
8
9
8
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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