Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with 5,534 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Sponge bay in the next 16 days are 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore 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 (Sep 02) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what we're looking at for Sponge Bay.
Right off the bat, it’s a slow burn. There's nothing worth paddling out for in the first week. We’re looking at a flat spell from the start all the way through to the morning of the 8th of September. That’s a solid seven days of next to nothing. The water’s sitting at 55°, which feels a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a 4/3 if you’re even thinking about it.
Honestly, the first real action that catches my eye doesn’t fire up until Tuesday the 8th. That morning, a solid 8ft swell rolls in from the SSE with a 12-second period. The combined energy is strong at (1548). That’s a beefy one, pushing well past the beginner zone at over 5ft, so this is for experienced surfers only. The wind is light out of the WNW, giving us a cross-offshore angle that’ll keep it clean. This is the standout window, no doubt.
The next morning, Wednesday the 9th, keeps the run going. Another 7ft swell, this time with a longer 14-second period from the SSE, cranking the energy up to (1835). That’s some serious power. Again, the wind is light out of the NW, cross-off, keeping the face smooth. This is proper stuff for those who know what they’re doing.
Looking further out, the morning of Wednesday the 16th looks promising too. We’ve got 6ft from the SSE with a very long 16-second period, and the energy is strong at (1970). The wind is practically glassy out of the NNW. Long period like that is a dream for a beach and reef set-up like this, giving you proper, well-shaped lines and lulls between sets to get back out. It’s a long-range call, so not as locked in, but it has all the right ingredients for a classic session.
So, the takeaway? Park the board for the first week and circle the 8th, 9th, and maybe the 16th of September on your calendar. Those mornings are where it’s at.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 9 | S 17 | SSE 16 | S 6 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3331 | 1143 | 2035 | 1008 | 1938 | 970 | 499 | 261 | 123 | 68 | 42 | 9 | 8 | 24 | 47 | 25 | 15 | 24 | 27 | 118 | 2894 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:04PM2.02m | 9:29AM2.00m | 9:48PM1.98m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:52PM0.48m | 3:22AM0.44m | 3:36PM0.48m | 4:05AM0.44m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |  | |  |  | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 9 | 8 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 3 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSW 5 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | NE 4 | SSE 16 | S 16 | SSE 11 |
| kJ | 1161 | 1143 | 2035 | 1008 | 1938 | 970 | 499 | 261 | 123 | 68 | 42 | 5 | 8 | 24 | 47 | 23 | 15 | 4 | 27 | 20 | 1631 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | NE 10 | E 10 | SSE 18 | NE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 15 | ENE 4 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 17 | ENE 5 | S 10 | — |
| kJ | 11 | 4 | 2 | 438 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 25 | 13 | 24 | 3 | 2 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 10 | E 9 | — | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 12 | — | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | SSE 9 | S 9 | NE 6 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | — | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | — | NNW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | S 6 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 3331 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 118 | 2894 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 57 | 36 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 97 | 46 | 1 | 5 | 46 | 9 | 68 | 98 | 57 |
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.
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