
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 21ft (6.5m), 14s period, S swell with 17,197 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. 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 6.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 21ft (6.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Rolling Stones. This is an advanced reef break that’s fairly consistent, and it loves a south swell. The water is running a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 55°F, which is about 3°F below average, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.
We’ve got a slow start this week. The first couple of days are messy. Monday morning is a write-off with a cross-on wind and a 6ft south swell that’s got a ton of energy (2018) but it’s just choppy and marginal. Monday afternoon actually bumps up to 8ft from the south with a very long 19-second period, and the energy is pumping (4093), but that persistent cross-on wind ruins it. This is one for the experts only, and even then, it’s not clean.
The first real standout hits on Tuesday morning, July 21st. The wind finally swings west, giving us a clean cross-off breeze. The swell is a solid 8ft from the south with a 16-second period. That’s serious groundswell energy (2706) and it’s going to be powerful. This is excellent for experienced surfers – the reef will handle that long period well, but it’s going to be a bit of a handful. The crowd factor is a “sometimes” thing, so it might be worth getting out early.
Things drop off after that. Wednesday, July 22nd, is worth a paddle if you’re desperate – the swell drops to 4ft, but the wind goes glassy in the afternoon, making for some clean, though small, waves. Thursday and Friday are tiny, with swell under 3ft. Not worth your time.
Saturday, July 25th, gets a little bump of 6ft from the southwest, but it’s a short-period, wind-affected mess. Sunday is a similar story, though Sunday afternoon actually sees a 5ft south swell with a long 16-second period (2519 energy), but it’s cross-off and windy. Kite surfers might have a better look at the beach breaks than us paddle guys.
Now, hold on to your boards. Monday, July 27th, is a beast. The guidance shows a 21ft south swell with a 14-second period, and the energy reading is off the charts at 17211. That is a massive, dangerous swell. But the wind is a strong cross-onshore, making it a total mess. This is a day for the experts only, and honestly, it looks more like a tow-in or kite day than a paddle session. Don’t even think about it.
After that storm passes, Tuesday morning, July 28th, cleans right up. The west wind drops to a gentle cross-off, and the swell is back to a manageable 6ft from the southeast, with a long 14-second period (2054 energy). This is another excellent window for experienced surfers with clean waves.
The rest of the week into early August is a mixed bag. There’s a small, clean period on Thursday, July 30th, and Friday, July 31st, with some waist-high waves from the southeast, but nothing special.
The next real standout is on Sunday, August 2nd. The morning shows a clean 8ft south swell with a 14-second period, and a light cross-off wind from the west-northwest. That’s a lot of energy (2249) and it’s going to be a good, clean session for the experienced crew. This one is a bit further out, so it’s promising but not a lock.
After that, the swell fades and the winds get messy through the first few days of August. Overall, the best calls are Tuesday morning, July 21st, and Tuesday morning, July 28th, with Sunday, August 2nd, as a promising long-range option.
Stay safe out there.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Thu morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | S 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 9 | E 10 | SW 7 | SSW 7 | SE 16 | SSW 7 | S 16 | S 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1415 | 3752 | 4586 | 2609 | 1699 | 905 | 501 | 342 | 389 | 177 | 72 | 34 | 30 | 26 | 18 | 268 | 111 | 159 | 294 | 1206 | 12526 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 10:17AM1.72m | 10:42PM1.74m | 11:07AM1.68m | 11:33PM1.68m | 11:59AM1.65m | 00:24AM1.62m | 12:54PM1.62m | 1:14AM1.58m | 1:46PM1.61m | 2:03AM1.55m | 2:36PM1.59m | 2:51AM1.51m | 3:22PM1.58m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:30PM0.21m | 5:02AM0.20m | 5:23PM0.29m | 5:51AM0.28m | 6:15PM0.36m | 6:39AM0.36m | 7:08PM0.42m | 7:27AM0.42m | 8:00PM0.47m | 8:15AM0.47m | 8:50PM0.50m | 9:04AM0.48m | 9:37PM0.50m | ||||||||
7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
— | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 9 |
Feels °C | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 5 | -1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 5 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 7 | E 10 | SSW 7 | ESE 11 | SSW 7 | S 16 | ESE 13 |
1415 | 3752 | 4586 | 2609 | 1699 | 905 | 501 | 342 | 389 | 177 | 72 | 12 | 30 | 26 | 31 | 53 | 111 | 123 | 294 | 1206 | 304 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | E 10 | SE 13 | E 10 | SE 16 | SE 14 | ESE 14 | — |
169 | 167 | 103 | 97 | 97 | 56 | 28 | 29 | 16 | 30 | 40 | 34 | 7 | 10 | 18 | 27 | 49 | 159 | 206 | 337 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 12 | ENE 4 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | S 9 | S 15 | ESE 12 | SSW 16 | E 11 | E 11 | — |
434 | 174 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 1 | 18 | 22 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 31 | 53 | 57 | 57 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NNW 2 | N 3 | NNE 4 | WNW 3 | SW 7 | NW 2 | SW 7 | W 5 | SSW 10 | S 15 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 268 | 1 | 156 | 34 | 919 | 12526 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 155 | 81 | 33 | 155 | 1 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 90 |
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.










