Sponge bay surf break

Sponge bay surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Thursday 14 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Sponge bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Sponge bay sea temperature is
16.1° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 (May 19) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. 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 2.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 14) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (May 20) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 19th May)1.5ft (0.4m) 10s
Best Surf 9AM (Tue 19th May)1.5ft (0.4m) 10s
Most Powerful12PM (Thu 14th May)7ft (2.2m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
AM
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
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
S
13
2
S
12
1.8
S
10
1.5
S
9
0.9
SSE
16
1.3
SSE
14
1.7
S
13
0.9
SSE
12
1.5
S
11
0.7
SSE
11
0.5
SSE
11
1.3
SSE
7
1.5
SSE
6
0.9
SE
6
0.4
SSE
9
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SE
10
0.7
ESE
6
0.4
SE
10
0.4
SE
8
0.2
ESE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1909
1129
689
367
353
668
943
233
553
109
64
163
159
56
35
38
27
28
23
18
15
Wind (km/h)
25
S
25
SSW
20
SW
20
SSW
20
SSW
15
SW
20
SW
20
SSW
20
SSW
20
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSE
10
S
15
SSW
5
WSW
5
W
5
SE
10
WNW
10
NW
15
ENE
10
NNW
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
3:29PM1.90m
3:49AM1.95m
4:17PM1.97m
4:39AM1.99m
5:07PM2.04m
5:30AM2.01m
6:00PM2.08m
6:21AM2.01m
6:55PM2.10m
7:17AM2.00m
7:52PM2.11m
8:17AM1.97m
8:51PM2.09m
Low Tide
9:22AM0.51m
9:38PM0.53m
10:08AM0.43m
10:28PM0.48m
10:57AM0.37m
11:19PM0.45m
11:48AM0.33m
00:13AM0.45m
12:39PM0.34m
1:12AM0.47m
1:34PM0.37m
2:14AM0.50m
2:30PM0.43m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
7:01
7:03
7:03
7:05
7:05
7:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:05
5:04
5:02
5:01
5:01
5:00
2
4
2
Temp °C
14
14
13
13
13
13
12
12
12
14
14
14
14
14
13
13
13
13
14
14
12
9
9
9
9
9
10
7
7
7
10
10
10
12
11
12
12
12
12
14
12
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SSE
13
1.6
SSE
12
1.1
SSE
6
0.9
SSE
6
1
SSE
9
1.3
SSE
14
1
SSE
13
0.9
SSE
12
0.9
SSE
6
0.8
SSE
6
0.9
SE
6
1
SE
6
1.1
SE
6
0.9
SE
6
0.6
SSE
6
0.6
SE
6
0.6
SE
6
0.7
ESE
6
0.5
E
5
0.5
E
5
0.5
E
6
Energy kJ
653
727
87
47
168
668
317
233
47
38
54
75
75
56
27
21
27
28
14
14
16
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SSE
6
0.3
E
9
0.8
SSE
11
0.8
SSE
9
0.9
SSE
16
0.4
E
11
0.8
SSE
5
0.4
E
11
0.8
SSE
12
0.7
SSE
11
0.5
SSE
11
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SSE
9
0.4
E
5
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SE
10
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
10
0.4
SE
8
0.2
SSE
7
Energy kJ
109
15
138
103
353
37
28
36
156
109
64
42
37
33
9
38
23
20
23
18
5
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
E
9
0.3
E
9
0.4
SSE
14
0.4
E
10
0.4
E
11
0.4
E
10
0.4
E
10
0.4
E
10
0.3
E
10
0.3
E
10
0.3
E
9
0.4
SSE
9
0.3
E
10
0.3
E
9
0.3
E
9
0.3
SE
6
0.2
ESE
13
0.2
ESE
12
Energy kJ
15
14
66
30
37
33
32
31
17
16
16
35
17
15
15
6
17
15
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
S
13
2
S
12
1.8
S
10
1.5
S
9
1.7
S
13
0.8
SSE
5
1.5
S
11
1.3
SSE
7
1.5
SSE
6
0.7
ENE
5
Energy kJ
1909
1129
689
367
943
27
553
163
159
30
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
3
3
4
3
4
1
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
118
118
10
44
44
3
10
118
10
42
53
68
42
10
3
0
43
0
3
9
9
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
3
4
4
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
4
4
3
4
3
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
4
5
4
5
5
5
4
5
4
5
5
7
4
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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