
Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSW swell with 2,091 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for Sponge Bay.
The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. We’ve got a decent pulse of energy coming through, but finding clean surf is going to take some patience. The water's sitting at 55°, which is a touch colder than what we’d normally expect this time of year – about 2° off, so definitely feel that chill in the morning.
Our only real standout window kicks off Thursday the 3rd of September. That morning, we’ve got a solid 4ft SSE swell with a long 13-second period, packing moderate energy (506). The wind is a clean cross-off from the NW, so Sponge Bay should be offering up some pretty lined-up, workable waves. It’s a beach and reef setup, fairly consistent, so you’ll get plenty of chances. The afternoon cleans up even more, with a 3ft SSE swell and the wind backing off to a gentle breeze. The energy drops a notch (318) but it’s still a lovely afternoon session.
Friday the 4th sees the swell drop out fast. We’re down to 2ft and shorter period, not really enough to get excited about. The whole weekend and into the start of the next week is pretty flat or messy, with most of it rated poor. There’s a brief teaser on Tuesday the 8th of September – a 4ft SSE swell with an offshore breeze from the N, creating clean conditions. The energy is moderate (258), and the waves are surfable, but nothing to write home about.
The real spike comes late in the second week. Around Sunday the 13th of September, we see a massive jump to 16ft from the SSW, with a very long 14-second period and crazy high energy (13943). But here’s the kicker – it’s accompanied by a strong cross-onshore wind that will turn that place into a washing machine. That’s big, powerful, and messy, not one for the paddle crew. It might look interesting for kite surfing, though. If you’re an expert looking for a battle, maybe, but don’t expect any clean faces.
After that, Monday the 14th of September morning brings a more manageable 5ft SSE groundswell (13s period, 877 energy) with light offshore winds from the WNW. That could be the pick of the week for a morning paddle – clean, some nice lines, and not too heavy. It does start to deteriorate in the afternoon as the wind swings onshore.
Overall, your best bet is Thursday the 3rd for a solid, clean session. The long-range Monday the 14th is promising but less certain this far out. Crowds are possible at Sponge Bay – it’s a spot that can get busy when it’s good. For the rest, there’s a lot of waiting around.
Stay patient, keep an eye on the wind shifts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun night, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Mon morning, light winds from the W by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | S 11 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | S 16 | S 6 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
499 | 312 | 158 | 79 | 41 | 18 | 22 | 54 | 15 | 59 | 57 | 97 | 21 | 141 | 622 | 249 | 150 | 67 | 48 | 37 | 25 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:14AM1.99m | 10:35PM1.94m | 11:03AM1.96m | 11:23PM1.89m | 11:55AM1.92m | 00:14AM1.84m | 12:49PM1.88m | 1:09AM1.78m | 1:45PM1.84m | 2:13AM1.74m | 2:51PM1.83m | 3:33AM1.75m | 4:11PM1.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:22PM0.50m | 4:53AM0.45m | 5:11PM0.54m | 5:44AM0.47m | 6:05PM0.58m | 6:37AM0.51m | 7:03PM0.63m | 7:32AM0.54m | 8:06PM0.66m | 8:34AM0.56m | 9:17PM0.66m | 9:47AM0.55m | 10:31PM0.62m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 20 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 11 |
Feels °C | 13 | 16 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | S 11 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | ENE 5 | SSE 16 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 |
499 | 312 | 158 | 79 | 41 | 18 | 22 | 54 | 15 | 59 | 57 | 97 | 2 | 24 | 622 | 249 | 150 | 67 | 48 | 37 | 25 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 18 | SW 4 | S 15 | S 15 | ENE 4 | S 18 | SSE 9 | ENE 6 | S 16 | NE 5 | NNE 10 | S 15 | NNE 3 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 8 |
2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 4 | 21 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 10 | — | E 10 | S 16 | E 10 | E 10 | S 6 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 4 | SSE 11 | E 9 | — | E 16 | S 15 | S 13 | E 15 | NE 8 | S 10 |
5 | 4 | 4 | — | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 2 | — | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 2 | S 6 | — | NE 7 | NE 4 | — | — | NE 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 141 | — | 2 | 6 | — | — | 19 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 37 | 9 | 6 | 36 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 97 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 |
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.










