
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s period, S swell with 1,712 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 12s period. 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 2.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 3AM. 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 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me tell you what I’m seeing for Rolling Stones over the next couple of weeks. It’s a reef break that needs a south swell and offshore winds to really line up, and boy, we’ve got some waiting to do.
Right now, there’s nothing to get excited about. Sunday the 13th is a write-off – messy, cross-on wind and the water is a bit colder than normal at 55°, sitting about a degree below average for this time of year.
Monday morning the 14th is where we finally get a little spark. We’ve got 7ft of south swell with a 12-second period, and it’s glassy. That’s a good combo for experienced surfers at a place like this. The combined energy is moderate at 1338. You’ll have to share it though – crowds are possible here.
Tuesday the 15th drops off quick. Clean little waves at 5ft Tuesday morning, but the energy drops to 492. It’s surfable but nothing special. Wednesday the 16th is tiny and weak, with energy under 200 – not worth the paddle.
We hit a real dry spell from Thursday the 17th through the weekend. Small, weak, and mostly onshore junk. Energy sits below 250 most of that time. Just leave the board in the truck.
Monday the 21st brings a bit of life back. Clean 4ft south swell with 10-11 second periods, light wind, and combined energy around 400. It’s not pumping, but it’s clean and fun.
Now here’s the big one. Mark your calendar for Wednesday the 23rd of September. That morning you’ve got 12ft of south swell, 11-second period, offshore wind, and glassy conditions. The energy is massive at 5679. This is proper, powerful groundswell – and at over 8ft, it’s strictly for experts. The reef will be working hard. But if you’ve got the skills, this is the standout session of the whole outlook. The afternoon looks just as good with glassy conditions.
After that, things settle down quickly. Thursday the 24th gets chopped up by onshore wind, and the rest of the month drops back into small, clean but weak conditions. The 27th has a nice long-period 17-second south swell at 3ft – good energy (661) and clean – but it’s a small wave for such a long period, so it might wall up and be a bit straight at the takeoff.
Bottom line: the 23rd is the absolute gem. Monday the 14th and the 27th are worth a look if you’re patient. The rest is mostly filler.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 15 | SSW 6 | S 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1510 | 1333 | 1145 | 699 | 434 | 284 | 173 | 108 | 65 | 89 | 122 | 87 | 52 | 231 | 236 | 187 | 157 | 310 | 800 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:45AM1.75m | 8:04PM1.73m | 8:30AM1.77m | 8:52PM1.71m | 9:14AM1.76m | 9:39PM1.68m | 9:58AM1.72m | 10:25PM1.64m | 10:45AM1.66m | 11:11PM1.59m | 11:34AM1.60m | 11:55PM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:33AM0.22m | 1:52PM0.24m | 2:19AM0.27m | 2:43PM0.29m | 3:05AM0.33m | 3:31PM0.34m | 3:51AM0.39m | 4:19PM0.39m | 4:38AM0.42m | 5:05PM0.42m | 5:24AM0.45m | 5:53PM0.44m | |||||||
— | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 7 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | NE 7 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 15 |
1510 | 1333 | 1145 | 699 | 434 | 284 | 173 | 108 | 65 | 89 | 122 | 87 | 75 | 231 | 236 | 187 | 127 | 123 | 218 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 13 | S 16 | S 16 | NE 5 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SE 9 | NE 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 15 | ENE 7 | SE 11 |
14 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 44 | 19 | 14 | 29 | 25 | 32 | 49 | 42 | 52 | 16 | 18 | 38 | 157 | 4 | 77 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 10 | E 13 | SSW 16 | S 15 | ENE 4 | SE 12 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 48 | 17 | 1 | 23 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 35 | 13 | 8 | 30 | 18 | 8 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 2 | ENE 3 | NW 3 | — | — | — | N 3 | NE 4 | — | WNW 3 | — | W 2 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | S 8 |
— | — | — | — | 1 | 10 | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 21 | — | 2 | — | 1 | 70 | 310 | 800 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 41 | 41 | 7 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










