Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 16 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.5°C
1.3° 

Rolling Stones surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Rolling Stones surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, S swell with 4,804 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with SSE 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) 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 1.3m 7s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 16th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 9s
Best Surf 6AM (Mon 21st Sep)13ft (4.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 6AM (Mon 21st Sep)13ft (4.0m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Rolling Stones has in store for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’re looking at a real mixed bag. The first few days are pretty lackluster, with small, weak swell and not much to get excited about. The real action kicks off later in the period, but there’s a lot of windy, messy stuff to sit through first.

For Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th, it’s tiny. You're looking at 3ft to 3ft of short-period swell, and while Thursday morning has that clean, offshore NNW wind at 9 mph, the wave energy is weak (159). It’s surfable, but it’s not going to have any punch.

Then we hit a rough patch. From Friday the 18th right through to Monday the 21st, the wind just howls. Friday afternoon sees a massive jump to 12ft from the SSW, but it's got a strong 25 mph cross-onshore wind and the combined energy is strong (1898). It's a stormy, choppy mess. Saturday the 19th morning is actually the standout of this period. It’s 10ft from the south, with a clean cross-offshore west wind at 9 mph. The energy is very strong (2003) and it’s clean. For experienced surfers, that is a window. The swell direction (S) isn't quite the optimum (S) but it's close enough. After that, Sunday and Monday get blown out again, even with a huge 15ft swell on Monday, the wind is all wrong.

After that chaos, things settle down. Tuesday the 22nd morning looks sweet. Clean, glassy conditions with a light offshore NW wind at 3 mph, and a clean 3ft swell from the SSW. The energy is still only moderate (280), so it’s more of a longboard or fun-shape day.

The rest of the week into the next is mostly small and onshore, with cross-on winds and choppy conditions. A lot of these days have poor surf. You get another clean morning on Sunday the 27th with a 2ft, long-period (13 seconds) SE swell and light offshore wind, but the energy is pretty weak (306). It’s clean and rideable, but not a standout.

Looking way out, Thursday the 1st of October morning shows some promise. It’s a clean 3ft swell from the south with a very long period of 17 seconds. Winds are light and variable, and the energy is moderate (502). That’s a promising sign, but it’s two weeks away, so keep an eye on it. Long-period south swells like that can really line up at a reef like Rolling Stones.

The Pick of the Fortnight: Without a doubt, Saturday morning the 19th of September. That 10ft south swell with clean offshore winds is the only session that really has power and shape. It’s big, it’s for experts, but that’s the one.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sun morning, calm by Mon morning).

Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
2
5
3
2
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSE
9
0.8
SSE
9
0.9
SE
12
0.8
SE
10
0.8
SE
9
0.7
SE
11
1
SE
12
0.9
SE
12
0.8
SE
12
2.4
SSW
7
1.6
S
7
0.7
SSW
14
0.9
SW
12
3.5
SSW
8
4
S
11
4
S
12
3
S
11
1.8
S
10
1
S
9
0.9
S
8
0.4
SE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
124
99
224
138
122
110
281
224
193
514
226
210
216
1580
3725
4179
2008
637
173
112
49
Wind (km/h)
5
W
15
E
15
WNW
15
NNW
20
N
15
N
20
S
25
S
20
SW
10
WSW
10
WSW
30
WNW
30
SW
35
SW
25
WSW
5
WNW
20
NE
15
W
5
NNW
10
NE
20
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
off
off
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
9:14AM1.76m
9:39PM1.68m
9:58AM1.72m
10:25PM1.64m
10:45AM1.66m
11:11PM1.59m
11:34AM1.60m
11:55PM1.52m
12:25PM1.54m
00:41AM1.44m
1:14PM1.49m
1:29AM1.38m
2:00PM1.46m
2:18AM1.35m
Low Tide
3:31PM0.34m
3:51AM0.39m
4:19PM0.39m
4:38AM0.42m
5:05PM0.42m
5:24AM0.45m
5:53PM0.44m
6:09AM0.46m
6:41PM0.45m
6:53AM0.45m
7:29PM0.44m
7:39AM0.44m
8:15PM0.41m
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:07
6:05
6:03
6:01
6:00
5:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:02
6:04
 mm
4
13
8
1
2
Temp °C
15
16
12
17
17
15
11
11
11
13
15
15
15
9
9
14
15
12
18
19
17
Feels °C
13
13
10
13
13
11
7
6
6
10
12
11
8
2
3
11
10
9
16
17
13
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 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.

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