Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Issued: 11 pm 04 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
13.5° C

1.2°C colder than average for this time of year

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 4 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, E swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 11 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, S swell with 4,319 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period with E 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 Sunday (Jul 05) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 11) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Sun 5th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 10s
Best Surf 6PM (Tue 7th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Most Powerful12AM (Sat 11th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Right then, let's have a look at what Sponge Bay has got cookin' for us.

It’s a bit of a mixed bag for the next couple of weeks, to be honest. The first week is lookin' real ordinary, with a lot of wind and chop getting in the way. We’ve got some proper size comin', but the conditions just aren't cooperating for a paddle session. Then, there’s a glimmer of hope heading into the second week.

We kick off Sunday the 5th with a tiny 0.3ft southerly groundswell, period pushin' 16 seconds, but the wind is a messy 16 mph from the NNE. The energy is a weak 8. It’s a no-go. That tiny swell builds a bit on Monday the 6th, up to 4ft from the east, but that 19 mph NE wind is just onshore junk. The combined energy is still weak at 238. Not worth paddlin' for.

Tuesday the 7th has some waves – 4ft east swell – but it's onshore and messy, and Wednesday the 8th sees bigger 6ft swell, but again, the wind is all wrong. By Friday the 10th, the swell is up to 7ft from the SSE, but that 16 mph cross-onshore wind is just choppin' it to bits. The combined energy is moderate at 1124, but the quality is zero. This pattern of onshore wind and rain holds through the weekend right into Monday the 13th.

Alright, now for the good bit. After that messy run, we finally get a window. Monday morning, July 13th, things clean up. We’ve got a solid 4ft swell from the SE, and the wind swings to a light 6 mph WNW cross-offshore. That’s clean surf with a combined energy of 315. This is the first chance at a proper surf.

But the real standout, the one you want to circle on your calendar, is Friday, July 17th. The morning session is callin' for 6ft of swell from the SE with a very long 15-second period. This is proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy is a strong 1496. The wind is a light 6 mph NNW cross-offshore, and conditions are forecast to be excellent for experienced surfers. This big, long-period swell will be breaking a bit straight at a beach break, so look for the points or reefs if you can find ’em, but the power and shape will be there for the crew who knows what they’re doin’. The afternoon looks just as good with offshore winds. That’s the pick of the fortnight by a long shot.

Be mindful that the water temp is about average for the time of year.

After that, Saturday the 18th has a 8ft south-southwest swell but with a short 9-second period, and a gusty WNW wind. It’ll be lumpy and messy, a real handful.

So, bottom line: it’s a lean first week, but that Friday the 17th is the one to aim for.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Mon morning, calm by Mon night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Tue night, strong winds from the SW by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Sat
11
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
1
1
0
2
2
1
1
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
1.1
E
11
0.1
S
16
1
E
10
1.1
E
10
1.2
E
9
1.3
E
10
1.3
E
9
1.3
E
10
1.5
E
10
1.7
E
10
1.7
ESE
11
1.7
ESE
10
1.6
ESE
10
1.3
ESE
10
1.2
ESE
10
1.5
ESE
10
2.2
SSE
9
3
SE
10
4.5
S
10
4
SSE
10
2.3
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
267
5
202
234
225
301
287
314
440
596
672
551
480
342
312
419
784
1404
4319
3008
1082
Wind (km/h)
15
N
25
NNE
15
NNE
10
NNW
30
NE
15
ENE
10
NW
5
W
5
S
5
NNW
5
WSW
20
SSW
20
WSW
20
S
25
SW
25
SW
25
SSW
40
SSW
40
SW
40
SW
40
SSW
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
on
cross-off
cross
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
9:34PM1.87m
9:47AM1.80m
10:18PM1.91m
10:29AM1.82m
10:59PM1.93m
11:12AM1.84m
11:39PM1.94m
11:56AM1.85m
00:18AM1.93m
12:42PM1.87m
00:59AM1.91m
1:30PM1.89m
1:45AM1.89m
2:19PM1.90m
Low Tide
3:52AM0.67m
3:55PM0.62m
4:35AM0.64m
4:37PM0.59m
5:17AM0.59m
5:18PM0.57m
5:59AM0.54m
6:00PM0.55m
6:40AM0.49m
6:45PM0.54m
7:24AM0.45m
7:35PM0.54m
8:10AM0.42m
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:58
4:59
4:59
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:01
 mm
2
4
4
5
17
3
3
5
2
6
4
4
Temp °C
12
13
15
11
14
12
11
12
12
10
12
13
12
12
12
13
13
13
12
12
12
Feels °C
8
10
12
9
8
9
9
10
10
8
9
9
8
8
7
7
8
5
3
4
4
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
E
11
1.2
E
10
1
E
10
1.1
E
10
1.2
E
9
1.3
E
10
1.3
E
9
1.3
E
10
1.5
E
10
1.7
E
10
1.7
ESE
11
1.7
ESE
10
1.6
ESE
10
1.3
ESE
10
1.2
ESE
10
1.5
ESE
10
1.2
ESE
10
3
SE
10
3
SSE
10
2.5
SSE
10
1.7
ESE
12
Energy kJ
267
296
202
234
225
301
287
314
440
596
672
551
480
342
312
419
276
1404
1946
1333
770
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
21
0.3
SSE
19
0.3
SSE
17
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SSE
10
0.3
SSE
14
0.3
SSE
14
0.3
SSE
13
0.8
S
6
0.7
S
6
0.6
SSE
8
0.3
SSE
18
0.6
E
10
1.1
ESE
9
0.2
S
20
Energy kJ
3
3
5
5
4
8
69
58
32
31
41
37
31
41
31
55
64
71
220
31
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
22
0.1
S
13
0.3
S
19
0.2
S
10
0.3
SSE
16
0.3
SSE
16
0.3
SSE
9
0.2
SSE
8
0.1
S
19
0.2
SSE
12
0.3
SSE
10
0.3
SSE
14
Energy kJ
5
2
9
4
62
8
51
48
17
7
7
14
18
41
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NE
6
1.5
NE
6
1.1
NE
7
1.6
NE
7
1.6
NE
9
1.6
NE
8
0.6
SSW
4
0.6
SSW
4
0.4
SW
3
1.2
SSW
6
0.9
SSW
6
1.3
S
8
2.2
SSE
9
0.4
SSE
17
4.5
S
10
4
SSE
10
2.3
SSE
10
Energy kJ
50
170
114
219
370
367
8
9
4
84
61
230
784
96
4319
3008
1082
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
4
2
2
2
5
Distance (km)
0
1
0
0
88
0
0
1
5
0
3
10
10
10
42
42
53
122
125
125
68
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
3
4
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
4
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
5
4
6
3
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
9
7
5
5
8
7
5
5
9
7
9
5
7
5
5
4
8
4
5
  • 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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