Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, S swell with 4,137 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 16s period. 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 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) 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 1.2m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a classic run of solid Southern Ocean energy heading our way, but you’ve got to pick your moments. The star of the show is Rolling Stones, an advanced reef break that’s fairly consistent. The water is sitting at 55°, a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t be fooled by the sun.
The main event kicks off Wednesday morning, September 2nd. This is the standout. We’re looking at a clean 8ft swell from the south, with a very long period of 14 seconds, giving it serious groundswell punch. The combined energy is a massive 3076 (strong to very strong wave energy). With a light offshore NW wind of 6 mph, it’s going to be pristine. This is one for the experienced crew only – it’s not a beginner wave. The long period will make it steep and powerful, perfect for the reef setup here.
Thursday morning, September 3rd, is still very good. The swell drops to 6ft from the south, period 13 seconds, with a light cross-offshore NW wind. The energy is a solid 1077 (moderate to strong). It’s a bit more manageable than Wednesday, but still quality.
By Friday, September 4th, the swell is fading fast. A 3ft south swell with a moderate offshore wind is surfable, but it’s just ordinary. The energy drops to 156 (weak). The afternoon goes onshore and blows out.
Things get quiet. From Saturday the 5th through to Monday the 7th, we’ve got a gap of small, poor surf. The swell is tiny, energy is pitiful, and conditions are messy. Don’t bother.
Tuesday, September 8th, brings a new pulse. A clean 7ft south swell with a 10-second period and light cross-offshore wind. Energy is 821 (moderate). It’s a solid, clean session for experienced surfers.
Wednesday, September 9th, holds nicely with a 6ft south swell and a light offshore NW wind. Energy is 495 (moderate). Clean, but not as powerful as the first pulse.
We hit another rough patch from Thursday, September 10th through to Saturday, September 12th morning. Swell is small, wind is messy, and there’s a lot of junk, including a 31 mph cross-onshore blowout on Friday afternoon.
Saturday afternoon, September 12th, is another highlight. The wind goes glassy, and we get a 5ft south swell with a period of 13 seconds. The energy is a hefty 1322 (strong). That’s a beautiful, clean afternoon session for the experienced.
Sunday, September 13th, is a good, clean day too. A 3ft to 4ft south swell with a long period of 11-14 seconds, clean cross-offshore winds. Not huge, but very rideable.
Monday, September 14th, is the biggest of the whole run. An 12ft south swell, period 9 seconds, with a light cross-offshore wind. The energy is 2184 (strong to very strong). This is a serious, heavy day that is only for experts. The afternoon turns a bit onshore, so the morning window is the only one.
The last week sees a taper. Tuesday, September 15th, is small and glassy. Wednesday, September 16th, is clean and small. Thursday, September 17th, has a promising last hurrah: a 3ft swell from the SSW with a very long period of 16 seconds, and a moderate offshore NW wind. The energy is 959 (moderate). It’s a clean, long-period groundswell, which will work best on the reef here.
Overall, the best of the lot is Wednesday morning, September 2nd – that’s your true standout. The Saturday afternoon, September 12th glassy session and the Monday, September 14th massive swell are the other big calls. Keep your eyes on the forecast, and don’t sleep on that first day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun night, min 6°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Sat morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 8 | S 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | S 16 | SSW 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2073 | 4137 | 2346 | 1077 | 613 | 268 | 146 | 72 | 29 | 27 | 51 | 79 | 100 | 62 | 97 | 46 | 1092 | 1704 | 816 | 494 | 486 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross |
High Tide | 9:13AM1.70m | 9:40PM1.69m | 9:59AM1.73m | 10:30PM1.68m | 10:50AM1.74m | 11:22PM1.67m | 11:46AM1.74m | 00:17AM1.65m | 12:46PM1.73m | 1:15AM1.63m | 1:45PM1.73m | 2:15AM1.61m | 2:43PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:28PM0.25m | 3:52AM0.23m | 4:20PM0.25m | 4:42AM0.24m | 5:13PM0.25m | 5:34AM0.23m | 6:09PM0.23m | 6:29AM0.21m | 7:08PM0.21m | 7:26AM0.19m | 8:07PM0.18m | 8:26AM0.16m | 9:05PM0.15m | ||||||||
6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 10 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 10 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 8 | S 9 | SSW 10 | S 9 | SSW 17 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 7 |
2073 | 4137 | 2346 | 1077 | 613 | 268 | 146 | 72 | 29 | 27 | 51 | 79 | 100 | 45 | 97 | 18 | 10 | 1704 | 816 | 494 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | NE 9 | NNE 4 | NE 9 | NE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | SSW 6 | S 15 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | SSW 18 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 8 | E 15 |
1003 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 12 | 4 | 62 | 16 | 22 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 2 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | — | ENE 9 | — | — | ENE 10 | S 20 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 4 | S 8 | S 16 | — | — | E 16 | E 16 | E 18 |
13 | — | 8 | — | — | 10 | 8 | 24 | 20 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 46 | — | — | 5 | 5 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | NW 4 | NW 4 | W 4 | WNW 3 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NW 3 | NW 2 | NE 6 | — | SSW 8 | — | — | — | S 9 |
— | — | — | 6 | — | 3 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 72 | — | 1092 | — | — | — | 486 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 33 | 8 | 105 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 113 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 75 |
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.











