Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 11s period, S swell with 6,459 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. 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 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 0.4m 2s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get real about Sponge-Bay. This stretch of the forecast is pretty rough for a while, but there are a couple of glimmers if you’re patient.
The next week is messy. Tuesday and Wednesday the 18th and 19th have strong onshore winds and some solid, but messy swell in the water. The energy is there – it reaches that strong level mid-week – but the wind has it all chopped up and blown out. Not worth the drive.
That all changes come Friday morning, the 21st. The wind turns light offshore, and we get a clean 2 to 3 foot of swell with a long 16-second period. This is a proper groundswell, and while the beach and reef setup might make it a bit walled, it’s going to be the cleanest, most surfable waves we’ve seen all week. This is one of the standout windows.
The weekend goes flat again. Small, clean but tiny surf on the 22nd and 23rd. Then the middle of next week is a mix of small, clean but weak surf. Nothing to write home about.
It’s not until Friday the 28th that we see another real opportunity. A 4 to 5 foot southeast swell with a light cross-offshore breeze in the morning. The energy is moderate. It’s not perfect, but it’s clean and has a bit of push to it. Another standout window.
After that, things look like they’re trying to clean up as we head into September. There are signs of gentle offshores and some longer-period groundswell around the 1st and 2nd, but we’re more than a week out, so don’t book your flights just yet.
The water is a touch cold, about 55 degrees, and it’s running a bit colder than average for this time of year. All in all, treat the first week as a loss, and keep your eyes on the 21st and the morning of the 28th for the best bets.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Tue night, light winds from the WSW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | SSE 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | SSE 15 | SE 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 12 | SSE 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1342 | 1283 | 6459 | 2779 | 3021 | 811 | 637 | 612 | 190 | 371 | 513 | 189 | 164 | 115 | 79 | 42 | 33 | 15 | 65 | 127 | 222 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:02AM2.01m | 10:22PM2.02m | 10:47AM1.96m | 11:06PM1.95m | 11:32AM1.90m | 11:48PM1.87m | 12:17PM1.84m | 00:30AM1.79m | 1:01PM1.78m | 1:14AM1.71m | 1:46PM1.73m | 2:05AM1.65m | 2:36PM1.70m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:11PM0.52m | 4:39AM0.51m | 4:56PM0.58m | 5:24AM0.56m | 5:42PM0.65m | 6:09AM0.62m | 6:28PM0.72m | 6:53AM0.69m | 7:17PM0.77m | 7:38AM0.75m | 8:09PM0.81m | 8:27AM0.80m | 9:07PM0.83m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | — | 1 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 13 |
Feels °C | 0 | -2 | -2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | E 11 | SSE 12 | SE 14 | SSE 11 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | SSE 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | S 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 15 |
| kJ | 651 | 9 | 2981 | 47 | 1348 | 580 | 502 | 299 | 190 | 183 | 513 | 189 | 164 | 115 | 79 | 42 | 25 | 7 | 65 | 127 | 222 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | E 18 | — | — | ESE 9 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 16 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 15 | SSE 8 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 41 | 6 | — | — | 389 | 811 | 189 | 116 | 124 | 371 | 135 | 81 | 33 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 33 | 10 | 44 | 41 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSE 16 | — | SE 11 | SSE 13 | SSE 17 | SSE 9 | — | SSE 16 | E 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 8 | — | — | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | SSE 15 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 357 | — | 43 | 101 | 58 | 82 | — | 97 | 5 | 19 | 7 | — | — | 15 | 16 | 77 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSE 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | WNW 3 | — | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1342 | 1283 | 6459 | 2779 | 3021 | 786 | 637 | 612 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 118 | 333 | 125 | 121 | 121 | 10 | 53 | 121 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 37 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
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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