
Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 19s period, SSE swell with 2,933 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period with ESE 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m 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 2.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at Sponge Bay. It’s a beach and reef break, fairly exposed, and the best swell direction is from the SSE. The water temp is 14°, a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you might want a hood.
The first real surf shows up on Friday the 17th. It’s a clear afternoon with a 1.4m ESE swell, a long 16-second period, and a ton of energy (1122). The wind is a gentle cross-off from the ENE, so it’s clean. Very good waves, but that long period means there’ll be lulls.
Saturday the 18th morning is another clean one. A 1.3m ESE swell, 14-second period (1015), and a light WNW cross-off. Good fun. The afternoon turns onshore from the SSE, so it’ll get messy.
The standout is Sunday the 19th morning. The swell bumps to 1.5m from the SSE, with an 18-second period (1734) – that’s a lot of juice. The wind is a light WNW cross-off, so it’s clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers; the waves have shape and power, but it’s a bit big for beginners. The afternoon gets ruined by a 20 km/h southerly, so get out early.
Monday the 20th is a write-off – onshore wind and messy surf. Tuesday the 21st is a gem. Morning sees a 1.7m SSE swell (1535) and glassy conditions – zero wind. That’s excellent for the experienced crew. The afternoon drops to 1.5m and stays glassy, so it’s very good again.
From Wednesday the 22nd, the swell fades. Wednesday morning is clean with a 1.0m SSE swell (335), but it’s ordinary. The rest of the week through the 25th is tiny – 0.4m to 0.6m waves and poor conditions. That’s a few days of flat water.
There’s a little pulse around the 28th of July. Tuesday morning has a 1.7m SE swell, but the period is short at 8 seconds (664), and it’s a cross-off from the NW. It’s clean, but short-period waves get bumpy. The 29th and 30th bring light offshore winds and a 1.2m to 1.3m SE swell. Still short period (8 seconds), so it’s surfable and clean, but nothing special.
The first of August has a 1.0m easterly, but it’s a cross-on by the afternoon. Not great.
So, the best sessions are the 17th, 18th, 19th morning, and the 21st. The 19th morning is the pick – that long-period SSE swell, light cross-off, and clean conditions. It’s a proper one. The long-range stuff at the end of July is just small, short-period waves that are clean but not worth chasing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSE 21 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
978 | 880 | 722 | 586 | 2124 | 1377 | 950 | 644 | 589 | 1788 | 2811 | 1466 | 1051 | 622 | 312 | 230 | 163 | 204 | 111 | 88 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | on | on | on | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:28PM2.11m | 8:53AM1.99m | 9:21PM2.12m | 9:45AM2.01m | 10:13PM2.11m | 10:36AM2.00m | 11:02PM2.08m | 11:25AM1.98m | 11:47PM2.03m | 12:13PM1.94m | 00:29AM1.96m | 12:59PM1.88m | 1:10AM1.87m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:51AM0.53m | 3:01PM0.47m | 3:41AM0.52m | 3:54PM0.50m | 4:31AM0.53m | 4:45PM0.54m | 5:19AM0.54m | 5:32PM0.59m | 6:06AM0.56m | 6:19PM0.64m | 6:49AM0.58m | 7:05PM0.70m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 10 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSE 21 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 |
978 | 880 | 722 | 586 | 2124 | 1377 | 950 | 644 | 589 | 1788 | 2811 | 1466 | 1051 | 622 | 312 | 230 | 163 | 204 | 111 | 88 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 |
105 | 145 | 285 | 158 | 553 | 357 | 317 | 210 | 161 | 123 | 73 | 69 | 68 | 44 | 23 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 17 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 15 | S 20 | S 24 | — | — | — | — | SSE 5 | ESE 12 | — | — | S 20 | — | — | — | SE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 11 |
39 | 113 | 8 | 432 | — | — | — | — | 21 | 177 | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | 35 | 25 | 11 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | — | — | — | N 3 | WNW 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1262 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 3 | 10 | 44 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










