
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 23s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, S swell with 5,960 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period with SE 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rolling Stones in the next 16 days are 3.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 23s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, groms, Rusty here with the lowdown on Rolling Stones for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a solid run of Southern Ocean juice lining up, and if you’re an experienced shredder, you’ll want to pencil this in. Friday morning the 17th kicks off with clean 5ft waves from the SE, and the wind is dead flat. The water is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than we usually get this time of year, so you might want a thicker rubber. The energy is pumping at 1445 (moderate to strong), and with a 16-second period, that’s real groundswell—beautifully shaped waves, though you’ll want to hit the reef right as the sets will have some time between them.
The absolute standout for the whole run? Lock in Sunday morning the 19th. The swell jumps to 7ft from the S, with a clean, cross-offshore breeze and a combined energy of 3233. That’s a serious wall of power. The period is 18 seconds, so the waves will be long, lined up, and throwing. This is expert-only territory today. The break is fairly consistent, so you’ll get your share, but heads up—crowds are possible here.
The swell backs off a bit Monday and Tuesday, but Tuesday morning the 21st sees another window of glassy conditions with a 7ft S swell (2411 energy). Still good for the experienced crew.
We get a bit of a lull mid-week, with smaller surf in the 3ft to 4ft range from the 22nd to the 24th. The conditions are clean, but the energy drops off hard (down to 272-608). It’s surfable, but nothing to get excited about.
Then, on Saturday the 25th of July, we get a sudden spike: a 10ft SSW swell, but with a short period of just 8 seconds. That’s windswell, and it’s powerful (1183 energy), but it’s going to be a bit fat and messier. The wind is glassy at dawn, which is a bonus, but that size and short period combo is strictly for the experts. It’s going to be a real battle to get out.
The surf drops back down through the end of the month and into early August. From the 27th onwards, we’re looking at smaller, cleaner, waist-to-chest-high waves in the 3ft to 4ft range. The wind is mostly offshore or glassy, and the period gets back to a nice 12-13 seconds, which means the waves will have some proper shape. The energy is weak to moderate (184-484), so it’s a good time for a longboard or a fun shape, but not a standout.
The final week has a few clean mornings, but the swell is small. Sunday the 27th morning has a glassy 3ft from the S, and the 30th and 31st have clean, waist-high waves from the SE. Nothing to rush for, but if you need a paddle, it’s there.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 24 | S 20 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 13 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1267 | 1171 | 992 | 1344 | 4307 | 2796 | 1903 | 1289 | 1434 | 4171 | 5349 | 3103 | 2338 | 1158 | 600 | 407 | 227 | 125 | 277 | 202 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:06PM1.93m | 8:36AM1.77m | 8:58PM1.88m | 9:27AM1.75m | 9:50PM1.81m | 10:17AM1.72m | 10:42PM1.74m | 11:07AM1.68m | 11:33PM1.68m | 11:59AM1.65m | 00:24AM1.62m | 12:54PM1.62m | 1:14AM1.58m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:28AM0.06m | 2:42PM0.06m | 3:21AM0.09m | 3:36PM0.13m | 4:12AM0.14m | 4:30PM0.21m | 5:02AM0.20m | 5:23PM0.29m | 5:51AM0.28m | 6:15PM0.36m | 6:39AM0.36m | 7:08PM0.42m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 |
Feels °C | 11 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 20 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 13 | S 11 |
1267 | 1171 | 992 | 776 | 4307 | 2796 | 1903 | 1289 | 1434 | 4171 | 5349 | 3103 | 2338 | 1158 | 600 | 407 | 227 | 125 | 277 | 202 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 24 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | S 18 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 12 | S 14 | SSW 10 | S 13 |
314 | 277 | 403 | 1344 | 637 | 437 | 363 | 244 | 429 | 142 | 103 | 97 | 59 | 46 | 29 | 28 | 110 | 97 | 33 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 15 | S 19 | S 11 | — | — | — | S 20 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 11 | SSE 14 | S 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 |
174 | 212 | 29 | 248 | — | — | — | 119 | 169 | 177 | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 38 | 76 | 12 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 2 |
— | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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.










