
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, S swell with 2,089 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Mon 21st Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. First up, the long-range picture. We’ve got a stretch of days ahead that’s all about waiting for the right windows. There’s some lumpy, messy stuff early on that’s not worth your time, but if you’re patient, there are a couple of proper sessions hiding in there. The standouts are later in the period, so don’t write the whole run off just yet.
Monday the 14th kicks things off, but it’s not pretty. Rolling Stones (Big Island) is seeing 6ft of south swell with a cross-on breeze. The energy is moderate-strong (1149), but that wind is just chopping it up. It’s a pass.
Tuesday the 15th is where you start to see a glimmer. Morning session at Rolling Stones has cleaner conditions, a cross-off breeze, and the swell drops to 5ft from the south. Energy is moderate (481). It’s surfable, but not the big one. The afternoon sees the wind pick up, so the morning is the call.
Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th are pretty small. The swell drops under 3ft, and the energy is weak (138-167). It’s marginal at best. You’d be scratching for sloppy little ones. Not worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate.
Then Friday the 18th brings a pulse, but it’s a messy one. The swell jumps to 10ft-12ft, but it’s coming with a strong cross-onshore breeze and short, lumpy period. The energy is strong (1084-2437), but it’s a washing machine. This one’s for the kitesurfers, not the paddle crew.
Saturday the 19th cleans up nicely. The swell backs down to 6ft from the SSE, and the wind goes cross-off. Energy is moderate (637). It’s a fun, clean day. This is a good window before the next bit of junk.
Sunday the 20th is a write-off with rain and choppy onshores. Small and messy. Don’t bother.
Now, the good stuff. Monday the 21st is a highlight. The morning has 5ft of south swell, clean with a light cross-off breeze. The energy is strong (985). It’s a solid, clean session and a real standout for the first week. The afternoon gets a bit weird with a long-period swell (16s) that might be a bit fat, but the morning is the one.
After that, Tuesday the 22nd and Wednesday the 23rd get rough and big again. The swell builds to 15ft by Wednesday afternoon. It’s powerful (6167 energy) but it’s onshore and lumpy. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it looks like a mess. If you’re not an elite charger, stay well clear.
Thursday the 24th is still big, 10ft-12ft, but the wind goes cross-off. It’s cleaner than the day before, but still heavy and demanding. The energy is strong (2184). This is for the experienced crew only.
Friday the 25th backs off a bit, but the conditions are poor. Not worth it.
Then, the final standout arrives on Tuesday the 29th. This is the one. Rolling Stones has 6ft of south swell, glassy conditions, and a long 15-second period. The energy is strong (1700). It’s clean, it’s lined up, and it’s got proper power. This is the pick of the whole 16 days. The forecast says it’s excellent for experienced surfers, and I’d agree. The swell direction matches the optimum, and with no wind, it’s going to be a beautiful, clean session. The crowd pressure might be a thing, but with waves like that, you take it.
So, to sum it up: the first week is patchy, with Saturday 19th and Monday morning 21st as your best bets. The second week is bigger, wilder, but the real gem is Tuesday morning the 29th. That one’s worth waiting for. It’s a long way out, so we’ll see how it pans out, but it’s got all the ingredients.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Fri morning, light winds from the WNW by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 14 | SSW 7 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 14 | SE 11 | S 5 | S 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1145 | 699 | 434 | 332 | 207 | 113 | 94 | 224 | 117 | 85 | 73 | 829 | 2089 | 1285 | 563 | 192 | 142 | 92 | 114 | 181 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 12:25PM1.54m | 00:41AM1.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:09AM0.46m | 6:41PM0.45m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 13 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 |
Feels °C | 10 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 7 |
1145 | 699 | 434 | 332 | 207 | 113 | 94 | 224 | 117 | 85 | 53 | 252 | 232 | 1080 | 563 | 192 | 72 | 75 | 56 | 181 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 13 | S 16 | S 16 | NE 5 | SSW 9 | SE 12 | SSW 9 | S 14 | S 16 | SE 14 | NE 7 | NE 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SE 11 | SE 8 | S 13 | S 16 | SE 11 |
3 | 3 | 44 | 19 | 13 | 29 | 39 | 7 | 16 | 19 | 73 | 14 | 24 | 50 | 74 | 137 | 54 | 92 | 45 | 40 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 10 | E 13 | E 13 | S 15 | SE 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 13 | S 8 | E 11 | SSW 13 | E 11 | ESE 13 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | SSW 15 | S 14 | SE 7 | E 11 | S 15 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 25 | 28 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 35 | 3 | 116 | 9 | 9 | 72 | 142 | 14 | 2 | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 3 | — | WNW 2 | — | — | N 3 | NE 4 | NE 7 | SSW 7 | S 9 | S 9 | WNW 2 | — | — | SSW 7 | S 5 | — |
— | — | — | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 9 | 43 | 829 | 2089 | 1285 | 1 | — | — | 78 | 114 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 113 | 93 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 135 | 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.










