Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 13s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 18s period, S swell with 2,654 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with SSW 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 (Aug 24) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. 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 2.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming up for us at Rolling Stones, a solid reef setup. The water's a bit colder than usual for this time of year, sitting at 55°.
We're looking at a pretty blank start to the forecast period. Don't expect much for the first few days. We'll see a few small, poor-condition waves around Sunday the 23rd with a small 2ft S swell and a fresh offshore breeze, but it's not worth getting excited about.
Things start to get interesting on Monday the 25th. Tuesday morning we've got a clean 4ft S swell at 12 seconds, with a light cross-offshore breeze. The real standout is Tuesday afternoon: 4ft of S swell, a 12-second period, and glassy conditions. That's clean, lined-up waves for the taking. The combined energy is moderate at 464.
Now, keep your eyes on Thursday the 27th. Thursday morning is looking like the best of the best. We're expecting a 5ft S groundswell with a very long 17-second period, and it's glassy. The energy is strong at 1354. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, but a set of that size and period will be pushing it for beginners. The reef will handle that long period beautifully.
The following week rolls in with some solid options. Monday the 31st has a 7ft SSW swell in the morning, clean with a light breeze, and then glassy conditions in the afternoon with a 6ft S swell. The energy is moderate to strong. Into September, Tuesday the 1st shows a long-period 4ft S swell at 20 seconds, but it's a bit windy. The pick of the early week might be Wednesday the 2nd afternoon: 5ft S swell, 15-second period, and glassy conditions. The energy is strong at 1094.
The tail end of the forecast has a few more windows. Saturday the 5th morning has a clean 3ft S swell, and Sunday the 6th morning has a clean 3ft SSW swell with a gentle offshore breeze. Finally, Monday the 7th afternoon brings a 8ft SSW swell with a gentle offshore – that's a big one for the experts only.
So, bottom line: if you're keen, get out for that glassy session on Tuesday the 25th afternoon. But the real standout is Thursday the 27th morning. Mark it down.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 9 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 15 | S 17 | S 16 | SSW 16 | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 44 | 371 | 694 | 1021 | 439 | 347 | 215 | 386 | 494 | 454 | 1561 | 2654 | 1571 | 901 | 640 | 416 | 266 | 313 | 251 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:10AM1.45m | 2:43PM1.52m | 2:58AM1.40m | 3:28PM1.49m | 3:46AM1.38m | 4:13PM1.49m | 4:33AM1.38m | 4:59PM1.50m | 5:22AM1.41m | 5:47PM1.53m | 6:11AM1.46m | 6:33PM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:23AM0.46m | 8:57PM0.47m | 9:11AM0.44m | 9:43PM0.43m | 10:00AM0.41m | 10:29PM0.39m | 10:48AM0.36m | 11:15PM0.34m | 11:32AM0.32m | 00:03AM0.30m | 12:17PM0.28m | 00:49AM0.26m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | SSW 9 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 17 | S 16 | SSW 16 | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 6 |
| kJ | 11 | 371 | 694 | 1021 | 439 | 347 | 146 | 386 | 494 | 454 | 1561 | 2654 | 1571 | 901 | 640 | 416 | 266 | 313 | 130 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | ESE 13 | SSW 7 | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 18 | S 15 | S 10 | SE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | NE 5 | S 14 | NE 5 | S 11 |
| kJ | 44 | 34 | 86 | 28 | 27 | 97 | 215 | 90 | 27 | 23 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 107 | 3 | 251 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | S 18 | ESE 13 | NE 3 | NE 4 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 | E 10 | NNE 3 | — | — | E 16 | SE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | NE 7 | ESE 13 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 8 | 6 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 5 | 9 | 8 | 29 | 7 | 17 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | — | — | NNE 4 | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 33 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.
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