
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 15s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period, S swell with 7,823 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 15s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rolling Stones this week:
The surf forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rolling Stones in the next 16 days are 5.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 16ft (5.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with the outlook for Rolling Stones. This reef break is advanced-only, fairly consistent, and can get a few heads around sometimes. The water’s sitting at 55°F right now – a bit colder than the usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a good wetsuit.
We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks. The first few days are messy with onshore wind and choppy conditions, but there’s a real gem hiding in the short term. On Tuesday 21 July afternoon, the stars line up. The wind drops to glassy, the swell is a solid 7 ft from the south with a 15-second period – that’s proper groundswell packing strong energy (1796). It’ll be clean and powerful, perfect for experienced surfers. That’s the standout of the near window.
Things then go quiet and blown out through the rest of the week and into the weekend, with strong winds and messy cross-chop. A couple of small clean windows on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 don’t have enough size to get excited about.
Then look ahead to the long range. The week of 27 July starts with a massive 15 ft swell from the south on Monday morning, but the cross wind makes it a tough call – only for the hardcore if you can find a corner. The real long-range treat comes on Thursday 30 July afternoon and Friday 31 July morning. Thursday afternoon delivers 5 ft south swell, 15 seconds, clean and glassy with strong energy (1394). Friday morning is even better: 7 ft south swell, 16 seconds, clean offshore breeze, and energy pumping at 2656. That’s a proper groundswell window – long period, so the reef will handle it beautifully. But remember, it’s over a week away, so keep an eye on the forecast.
After that, late July and early August fade into tiny, cross-on slop with near gale winds. Not worth the paddle.
So bottom line: if you’re keen, hit Tuesday 21 afternoon for a clean, solid session. And pencil in Friday 31 July morning for a potential cracker, but don’t lock it in yet.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu morning, strong winds from the WSW by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 10 | S 10 | SSW 9 | SE 11 | SW 7 | SSW 8 | SE 15 | SSW 9 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1415 | 3752 | 4586 | 2609 | 1699 | 905 | 501 | 342 | 395 | 190 | 96 | 34 | 30 | 16 | 19 | 342 | 169 | 186 | 1495 | 6686 | 7823 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 10:17AM1.72m | 10:42PM1.74m | 11:07AM1.68m | 11:33PM1.68m | 11:59AM1.65m | 00:24AM1.62m | 12:54PM1.62m | 1:14AM1.58m | 1:46PM1.61m | 2:03AM1.55m | 2:36PM1.59m | 2:51AM1.51m | 3:22PM1.58m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:30PM0.21m | 5:02AM0.20m | 5:23PM0.29m | 5:51AM0.28m | 6:15PM0.36m | 6:39AM0.36m | 7:08PM0.42m | 7:27AM0.42m | 8:00PM0.47m | 8:15AM0.47m | 8:50PM0.50m | 9:04AM0.48m | 9:37PM0.50m | ||||||||
7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
— | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 2 |
Temp °C | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
Feels °C | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 3 | -2 | -2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 5 | S 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SE 14 | SE 14 | ESE 14 |
1415 | 3752 | 4586 | 2609 | 1699 | 905 | 501 | 342 | 395 | 190 | 96 | 13 | 30 | 7 | 23 | 12 | 169 | 109 | 248 | 268 | 121 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 11 | SSE 12 | SSW 10 | NE 6 | SSW 9 | S 9 | SE 13 | SE 17 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | — |
169 | 167 | 103 | 97 | 97 | 57 | 28 | 29 | 10 | 30 | 26 | 34 | 9 | 16 | 6 | 27 | 43 | 88 | 82 | 61 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 12 | ENE 4 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | ESE 10 | S 9 | SE 11 | S 16 | E 12 | SE 15 | — | — | — |
434 | 174 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 1 | 18 | 23 | 10 | 7 | 19 | 20 | 26 | 186 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | N 3 | NW 3 | SW 7 | — | NW 4 | SSW 9 | S 12 | S 12 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 342 | — | 12 | 1495 | 6686 | 7823 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 81 | 64 | 162 | 7 | 33 | 1 | 135 | 78 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Rolling Stones Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Rolling Stones provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Rolling Stones can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rolling Stones 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 (Rolling Stones) 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 Rolling Stones 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.
Rolling Stones is 48 km (30 miles) from the city of Gisborne. If you plan a holiday in Gisborne and Mahia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Gisborne. Gisborne has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










