Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SSE swell with 1,814 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) 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 1.2m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking at Sponge Bay over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a rough patch to sit through. The first few days are a write-off for any decent paddle surfing. The wind is howling onshore, and the water’s just a mess. The combined energy is high, but that’s all stormy, ugly power (combined energy of all swells directed here at 1075). You’d be fighting a losing battle. This stretch runs from Sunday the 26th right through to Tuesday afternoon. Just not worth it.
There’s a glimmer of hope midweek. The pick of the whole forecast, and the only real standout, is Wednesday morning, the 29th of July. The wind drops right out, going glassy (NNW at 5 km/h). The swell is a clean 6 ft from the ESE. It’s a long period swell at 13 seconds, so that’s proper groundswell energy. It’ll be a bit more lined up and have those nice gaps between sets, making it easier to get out the back. The combined energy is still solid (887). This is your window. Get there early.
The rest of the week stays small but clean. Thursday afternoon, the 30th, has a gentle offshore wind (N at 15 km/h) and a 4 ft ESE swell. It’s not going to blow your socks off, but it’ll be clean and fun on a log. Friday morning follows a similar pattern with offshore wind and a 3 ft swell. Good for a mellow session.
The second week drops off significantly. The surf gets tiny and mostly messy. There’s a bump on Sunday the 2nd of August, but it’s accompanied by strong cross-onshore winds, making it a choppy, ugly 8 ft. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session. After that, it’s a lot of onshore wind and dribble until we see a bit of clean-up on Sunday the 9th of August. That morning offers a 4 ft SE swell with a light cross-offshore breeze, but it’s over a week away, so keep your expectations in check.
The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild to report.
So, to sum it up: if you want waves, your only real shot is Wednesday the 29th. That’s the one. Otherwise, the waiting game continues.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue morning, min 5°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 374 | 513 | 527 | 481 | 639 | 1561 | 1814 | 1448 | 1338 | 1134 | 867 | 861 | 683 | 422 | 308 | 263 | 298 | 213 | 126 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:39AM1.70m | 3:12PM1.71m | 3:34AM1.65m | 4:09PM1.68m | 4:36AM1.63m | 5:20PM1.69m | 5:36AM1.66m | 6:18PM1.74m | 6:27AM1.71m | 7:03PM1.80m | 7:13AM1.77m | 7:44PM1.87m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:00AM0.72m | 9:33PM0.82m | 9:52AM0.75m | 10:32PM0.84m | 10:51AM0.76m | 11:34PM0.83m | 11:47AM0.74m | 00:30AM0.80m | 12:36PM0.70m | 1:18AM0.75m | 1:20PM0.65m | 2:00AM0.69m | |||||||
 |  | |  | |  |  | | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 132 | 231 | 250 | 236 | 215 | 603 | 1724 | 1448 | 1338 | 1134 | 867 | 861 | 683 | 422 | 308 | 263 | 298 | 213 | 126 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 15 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | S 16 | NE 7 | SE 14 |
| kJ | 116 | 233 | 384 | 384 | 543 | 633 | 33 | 26 | 10 | 22 | 20 | 10 | 17 | 52 | 43 | 48 | 19 | 12 | 49 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 16 | E 12 | S 15 | S 14 | S 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 17 | SSW 11 | — | S 18 | NE 6 | SE 16 | ESE 16 | NE 5 |
| kJ | 166 | 98 | 18 | 15 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 22 | — | 25 | 1 | 10 | 24 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 4 | NW 3 |
| kJ | 374 | 513 | 527 | 481 | 639 | 1561 | 1814 | 690 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 22 | 14 | 1 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 68 | 10 | 53 | 10 | 42 | 68 | 68 | 53 | 121 | 42 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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