
Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 23 Jun 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 27 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 1 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, ESE swell with 1,789 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 24 Jun, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Jun 24) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s 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 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 01) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Jun 25) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Wed 24th Jun) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 27th Jun) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 1st Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sat morning, strong winds from the S by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 24 | Thursday 25 | Friday 26 | Saturday 27 | Sunday 28 | Monday 29 | Tue 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | E 9 | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
347 | 183 | 173 | 101 | 65 | 375 | 421 | 1684 | 582 | 951 | 846 | 632 | 598 | 482 | 541 | 584 | 449 | 450 | 377 | 702 | 1249 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 1:09AM2.00m | 1:41PM1.90m | 1:53AM1.93m | 2:27PM1.87m | 2:37AM1.85m | 3:11PM1.82m | 3:22AM1.78m | 3:55PM1.77m | 4:08AM1.72m | 4:43PM1.73m | 4:57AM1.67m | 5:37PM1.71m | 5:47AM1.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:28AM0.58m | 7:45PM0.68m | 8:12AM0.59m | 8:34PM0.70m | 8:54AM0.60m | 9:20PM0.73m | 9:37AM0.63m | 10:07PM0.76m | 10:23AM0.65m | 10:55PM0.78m | 11:12AM0.68m | 11:49PM0.80m | 12:01PM0.69m | ||||||||
— | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | |
— | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:53 | — | — | 4:53 | — | — | 4:53 | — | — | 4:54 | — | — | 4:54 | — | — | 4:55 | |
mm | — | — | — | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 2 | 21 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
347 | 183 | 173 | 101 | 540 | 375 | 189 | 838 | 546 | 951 | 846 | 632 | 598 | 482 | 541 | 584 | 449 | 450 | 377 | 702 | 800 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | — | — | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | E 11 | E 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 17 | SSE 14 | SSE 6 | SSE 12 | SSE 6 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 |
17 | 34 | — | — | 65 | 36 | 81 | 362 | 582 | 210 | 102 | 68 | 394 | 237 | 409 | 229 | 66 | 52 | 113 | 203 | 237 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | — | — | E 12 | — | S 23 | SSE 20 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 7 | — | SSE 12 | — | SSE 11 | S 10 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 336 | — | 10 | 78 | 26 | 13 | 39 | — | 87 | — | 25 | 18 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 9 | — | S 9 | S 10 | — | — | — | SSW 9 | — | S 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | ESE 10 |
43 | 103 | 99 | 277 | 1651 | — | 421 | 1684 | — | — | — | 144 | — | 61 | 57 | 53 | 109 | 137 | 261 | 181 | 1249 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 88 | 317 | 0 | 36 | 68 | 97 | 43 | 5 | 0 | 42 | 113 | 43 | 53 | 68 | 118 | 121 | 118 | 118 | 121 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
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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.










