Sponge bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.70° S 178.06° E

Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 04 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 4 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, 9AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period, S swell with 6,678 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period with S 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.9m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 16 days are 5.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 9PM.

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

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a look at the next couple of weeks for Sponge Bay. Let’s be honest from the start – the first few days are a write-off, but there’s a sweet little window and then some proper, heavy stuff later on if you’ve got the nerve.

Right now, nothing’s happening. We’ve got a big, messy southerly swell coming in on the 4th, with the wind howling from the SSW at 25 mph. The water’s sitting at 56°, which is about normal for this time of year, but out there it’s just a churned-up mess. The combined energy is massive (3807 on the 4th, jumping to 9824 on the 5th), but it’s all cross-on and onshore wind. Poor surf conditions, no two ways about it.

The 6th (Thursday) is still a no-go. The swell is dropping but still at 10 ft in the morning with a cross-shore wind, and the wave comment says it’s too big for this break. The afternoon is smaller but still choppy and cross-on. Just leave it for the day.

Friday 7th is where it gets good. The morning sees light NW winds, cross-offshore, and a clean 4 ft swell from the SE at 10 seconds. That’s a nice, manageable size. The afternoon is a standout: a 3 ft SSE swell, but with a very long period of 16 seconds, and light ENE cross-offshore winds. The combined energy is moderate (902), but the conditions are rated as very good. That long period means the waves will have real shape and push, though it might be a bit straight at the beach – but for a clean, lined-up bank, it’ll be magic. This is your best bet of the whole run.

Saturday 8th keeps the good times rolling. Both morning and afternoon have 4 ft SE swell, cross-offshore breezes, and clean conditions. Not the biggest, but super fun. The period drops to 13 seconds then 12 seconds, still solid.

Sunday 9th is a gentle offshore morning, but the swell is down to 3 ft and the energy is weak (226). It’s surfable, but ordinary. The afternoon is smaller still.

Then we hit another dry patch. From Monday 10th through to Friday 14th, it’s mostly poor. The wind turns onshore or cross-on, and the swell gets small and messy. On the 11th, there’s a 5 ft SE swell from the south with a short 6-second period in the afternoon – that’s just wind chop. Not worth paddling out for.

Saturday 15th is a big alert. The morning has a 7 ft ESE swell, light NW offshore winds, and clean conditions. The energy is moderate (879). That’s a solid wave, but it’s getting big. The afternoon jumps to 10 ft, and the wind turns cross-on. The wave comment says it’s too big for this break. This is expert territory now.

Sunday 16th is even bigger. An 12 ft ESE swell in the morning, with light NW offshore winds and clean conditions. The combined energy is very strong (4178). The comment says “wind and tide favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break.” Same for the afternoon at 10 ft.

Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th keep the size up: 10 ft to 12 ft, clean offshore winds, massive energy (4214 on the 17th afternoon). This is for experienced surfers only. The standout for the experts is Tuesday 18th afternoon: the swell drops to 8 ft from the ESE, with a 10-second period, and the conditions are rated as “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” The wind is cross-off from the NW, and the energy is still strong (1759). That’s the one to aim for if you’re charging.

After that, it fades. Wednesday 19th has a 7 ft morning with strong WNW winds, marginal, and the afternoon is a cross-shore mess. So, the short version: the first week is a write-off until Friday 7th, which is your best all-round day. Then the second week turns huge, with Saturday 15th onwards being only for the brave, and Tuesday 18th afternoon being the pick of the big stuff.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 10°C on Thu afternoon, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Fri morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
!
0
2
2
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
S
10
4.5
S
11
5
S
12
4
S
12
3.5
S
12
3
S
11
1.8
S
11
1.4
SE
10
1.3
SE
10
1
SSE
16
1.6
SE
14
1.2
SE
13
1.2
SE
12
1
SE
11
0.9
SE
11
0.8
SE
10
0.6
SSE
13
0.6
SE
12
1.4
S
6
2
S
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2408
4668
6678
4443
2934
2223
762
420
328
487
920
471
421
242
166
127
116
108
141
579
Wind (km/h)
40
SSW
45
SW
45
SSW
35
SSW
25
SW
20
WSW
20
SSW
10
WNW
10
NW
15
ENE
15
NW
15
NW
10
NNE
20
NW
15
N
15
NNW
20
N
20
SSW
15
SSW
15
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
on
on
cross
High Tide
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
2:55PM1.84m
Low Tide
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
8:44AM0.49m
9:16PM0.63m
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:01
7:01
7:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:24
5:25
 mm
3
7
2
2
2
5
2
Temp °C
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
7
8
9
9
13
16
11
14
15
14
11
12
10
Feels °C
-2
-5
-3
0
2
3
4
3
5
5
4
10
13
7
11
12
10
7
8
6
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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