Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 20s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 20s period, S swell with 3,536 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s period with ESE 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rolling Stones in the next 16 days are 2.1m 20s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 20s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 20s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty again – same spot, different numbers. Rolling Stones is a reef break, best for advanced surfers, fairly consistent, and sometimes you'll have company. The forecast kicks off Thursday 16 July. Thursday morning is nothing special – 0.7 ft swell from ESE, cross-off wind, weak energy (224). Thursday afternoon improves a bit with 0.9 ft ESE, moderate energy (563), but still just fair.
Friday 17 July morning – that’s the one to circle. Glassy conditions, 5 mph NW wind, 5 ft SE swell with a long 16-second period, strong energy (1397). Clean lines for experienced riders. Not the perfect direction but close enough.
Saturday 18 July morning stays clean with 5 ft SE, but the afternoon is glassy again – 5 ft SE, strong energy (1765), excellent conditions. Another beauty.
Sunday 19 July morning is the absolute standout: 7 ft S swell, 18-second period, strong energy (2947), clean and offshore. That’s the biggest, longest, best direction of the whole run. Expect hollow, powerful waves on that reef. Go early because afternoon gets a bit of cross-on.
Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 July mornings are glassy again with 6-6 ft S swell and long periods – still excellent for advanced surfers. Crowds are only “sometimes,” so you might get it quiet.
Wednesday 22 July morning has offshore breeze and 6 ft S swell, still clean, but energy eases. Afternoon goes glassy with 5 ft. From Thursday 23 July onward, things fade fast – smaller swells, onshore winds, poor conditions most days. There’s a long stretch of poor surf from Thursday afternoon through the end of the month, except Monday 27 July morning shows a tiny 2 ft S groundswell with long period, but it’s glassy and might give a few clean little waves for the patient.
Bottom line: the first five days hold the best chances, with Friday 17 and Sunday 19 as the clear winners.
– Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wed 22 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 20 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 96 | 196 | 516 | 976 | 1333 | 1493 | 1262 | 899 | 776 | 3536 | 2567 | 1903 | 1107 | 1297 | 1246 | 2224 | 1980 | 1652 | 2141 | 1147 | 633 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | off | glassy |
High Tide | 6:44AM1.79m | 7:11PM1.96m | 7:42AM1.78m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:36AM0.09m | 12:53PM0.04m | 1:34AM0.06m | 1:47PM0.03m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | |
 | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — |
 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 20 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | 96 | 196 | 516 | 976 | 1333 | 1493 | 1262 | 899 | 776 | 3536 | 2567 | 1903 | 1107 | 1297 | 1246 | 2224 | 1980 | 1652 | 2141 | 1147 | 633 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 17 | SW 17 | S 16 | S 5 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | E 5 | E 5 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 20 | 24 | 47 | 20 | 17 | 145 | 313 | 403 | 279 | 577 | 380 | 369 | 244 | 240 | 167 | 130 | 81 | 59 | 25 | 7 | 30 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | S 14 | NE 10 | — | SSW 16 | S 18 | S 15 | S 19 | S 24 | SSW 10 | — | — | S 20 | — | — | ESE 11 | — | — | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 4 |
| kJ | 30 | 4 | 4 | — | 47 | 163 | 215 | 30 | 710 | 177 | — | — | 67 | — | — | 163 | — | — | 41 | 29 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 2 | NW 3 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | 2 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 42 | 60 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.
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