Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 20s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, SSW swell with 509 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period. 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 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) 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 1.0m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 20s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Rolling Stones.
Water temp is about normal for this time of year, no big surprises. The first week is a bit of a slow burner.
The first real chance to paddle out is Friday morning, September 4th. It’s small, 3ft of south swell, with a 11-second period – enough to get a few. The wind is NW and offshore, keeping it clean. The combined energy is moderate at 154. Saturday morning, September 5th, is 3ft from the SSW, but the period drops to 8 seconds, so it’s a bit weaker. Light cross-off wind, clean enough for a small-wave board.
Sunday morning, September 6th, is 2ft from the SSW, 10-second period, with light offshore wind. Small and clean. Sunday afternoon gets weird: only 1ft, but the period jumps to 17 seconds. That’s a very long, slow groundswell. On a reef, it might produce some fun, glassy lines, but it’s tiny.
Monday, September 7th, is a dud. Tuesday, September 8th, is a mess: 10ft of south swell, short 9-second period, and howling SW cross-wind at 22 mph. The energy is massive at 2813, but the conditions are terrible. This is kite territory, not paddle. Wednesday, September 9th, drops but stays messy.
Now for the real standout. Saturday, September 12th, is the day. Rolling Stones sees 7ft of south swell, 12-second period, light NNW offshore wind, and a combined energy of 1258. Clean, powerful, and just right for advanced surfers. The afternoon holds at 7ft, same period, with WNW cross-off wind. Expect very good surf. Crowds are possible, but it’s worth it.
Sunday, September 13th, is big again at 10ft, but the wind is cross and cross-on, making it lumpy. Skip it.
The next week, Tuesday, September 15th, offers a glassy morning: 4ft of south swell, 11-second period, with no wind. Combined energy is 349. A clean, fun session for the patient.
Then Thursday, September 17th, is another winner. 6 to 6ft of south swell, 11-12 second period, with NW offshore wind all day. Combined energy hits 1054 in the afternoon. Clean and powerful. A top pick for the second week – keep an eye on it.
After that, it drops off. Friday, September 18th, is marginal, and Saturday, September 19th, is flat.
So, the best on offer: Saturday, September 12th, and Thursday, September 17th. If you can only make one, go for the 12th.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | S 17 | S 16 | SSW 16 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 144 | 71 | 29 | 28 | 63 | 106 | 106 | 103 | 149 | 46 | 50 | 57 | 99 | 82 | 337 | 343 | 213 | 125 | 53 | 25 | 58 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:14AM1.61m | 3:41PM1.74m | 4:12AM1.62m | 4:37PM1.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:27AM0.13m | 10:02PM0.13m | 10:25AM0.11m | 10:59PM0.13m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 17 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 144 | 71 | 29 | 28 | 63 | 106 | 106 | 41 | 149 | 20 | 18 | 57 | 99 | 82 | 17 | 343 | 213 | 125 | 53 | 25 | 58 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | NNE 4 | S 16 | S 9 | S 15 | NE 5 | S 18 | SSW 18 | — | S 16 | SSW 16 | NE 5 | NE 5 | S 11 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | NNE 4 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 25 | 103 | — | 46 | 50 | 9 | 7 | 59 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | S 17 | NNE 4 | S 15 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | S 15 | SSW 12 | NE 7 | NE 9 | E 15 | E 15 | ENE 8 | E 13 | SSW 12 | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 24 | 2 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 29 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | WNW 4 | SW 4 | WNW 3 | NE 2 | W 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | — | SSW 5 | S 8 | — | — | NNE 4 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 4 |
| kJ | 5 | 11 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 30 | 33 | 25 | — | 23 | 337 | — | — | 18 | 1 | 1 | 21 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 33 | 33 | 8 | 92 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 41 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 64 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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