Surf Forecasts:
Sponge bay surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, S swell with 1,643 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sponge bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, checking in on the Sponge Bay forecast. Let’s get into it.
Right off the bat, we’re looking at a bit of a mixed bag. The first few days are pretty ordinary—nothing to get too excited about. The real energy starts to build towards the end of the week and into the weekend, but we’ve got some solid windows to work with.
The standout session is definitely Friday morning, August 28th. We’ve got a clean 3ft swell from the SSE, with a light offshore wind out of the north. The water temp is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good wetsuit. The combined swell energy is moderate at 381, and that 14-second period is going to give you some nice, long lines. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, and with the offshore breeze, it’s going to be clean and fun. Just keep an eye on the crowds—they can be around sometimes.
Another solid call is Tuesday morning, September 1st. The swell is a touch bigger at 5ft from the SSE, still with a clean cross-off breeze from the WNW. The energy is up a bit more at 594, and the 12-second period will keep the waves decent. It’s a good option for a paddle, especially if you missed the Friday window.
Monday morning, August 31st, is a different story. We’ve got a big 8ft swell from the SSW, but the wind is a messy cross-onshore, and the conditions are poor. That’s more of a kite-surfing day than anything else. The energy is huge at 1927, but it’s not going to be clean for a paddle.
The second week gets a bit quieter. There’s a promising window on Thursday afternoon, September 3rd, with a tiny 1ft swell but a super-long 24-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell, and while it’s small, it’s clean and glassy with a light cross-off breeze. The energy is moderate at 312, so it might surprise you if you’re patient. But it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on the forecasts.
After that, things drop off dramatically. We’ve got a big gap from September 5th right through to the end of the 16-day window, with very little on offer. Most days are poor or just ordinary. The 6th of September has a glassy afternoon with a 1ft swell, but it’s barely surfable. It’s a pretty blank run, but that’s just how it goes sometimes.
So, to wrap it up: Friday morning, August 28th is your best bet—clean, offshore, and fun. Tuesday morning, September 1st is a solid backup. The rest is either too big and messy, or too small and flat. Stay patient, and the waves will come back.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 15 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 8 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
167 | 655 | 928 | 679 | 362 | 299 | 157 | 90 | 84 | 60 | 57 | 28 | 67 | 227 | 852 | 566 | 1081 | 890 | 598 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:17AM1.71m | 5:51PM1.81m | 6:03AM1.79m | 6:32PM1.89m | 6:45AM1.86m | 7:10PM1.96m | 7:25AM1.92m | 7:46PM2.01m | 8:06AM1.96m | 8:24PM2.02m | 8:46AM1.99m | 9:04PM2.02m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:11PM0.79m | 11:26AM0.72m | 00:02AM0.73m | 12:10PM0.65m | 00:46AM0.66m | 12:50PM0.58m | 1:26AM0.59m | 1:30PM0.53m | 2:04AM0.52m | 2:10PM0.50m | 2:42AM0.47m | 2:52PM0.48m | |||||||
— | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 17 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 14 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 15 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | ENE 7 | S 6 | SE 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 8 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 |
167 | 655 | 928 | 679 | 362 | 299 | 157 | 90 | 84 | 28 | 16 | 28 | 67 | 227 | 852 | 566 | 1081 | 890 | 598 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 17 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 |
14 | 12 | 12 | 49 | 33 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 60 | 57 | 11 | 14 | 216 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SE 13 | ESE 11 | NE 10 | SE 16 | SE 12 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 15 | ENE 7 | S 6 | SE 10 | ENE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | — | — | N 3 |
6 | 7 | 25 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 28 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 9 | 7 | 25 | 8 | 5 | 5 | — | — | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | N 3 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | WSW 2 | — | — | WSW 5 | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 3 | 16 | 45 | 18 | 63 | 75 | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 3 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 36 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
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.











