
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 15s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with 3,760 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with SE 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 09) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cookin’ at Rolling Stones.
Water temp is about 55°F, just a hair under the norm for this time of year – nothing wild, but you’ll feel it without a suit.
First chance to paddle is Wednesday morning, September 9th. We’ve got a 5ft swell out of the SE, period short at 8 seconds, combined energy 344 (moderate). Wind is glassy – dead still – so the surface will be clean as a whistle. It’s an advanced reef, so pick your line. Crowds are possible.
Then things go sideways. Wednesday afternoon through Friday gets lumpy with dodgy wind and weak swell. Friday morning has a 5ft S swell but the period is only 6 seconds and the wind is cross-on – messy.
The real highlight hits Sunday, September 13th early. An 8ft groundswell from the S with a long 15-second period – energy at 2842 (strong). Wind goes light cross-off from the W, keeping it clean. This is advanced to expert territory. If you’re game, this is the session. Crowds likely.
Monday the 14th keeps the run going with a 5ft S swell, 12-second period, 819 (strong) energy, and clean cross-off wind all day. Very solid and rideable.
Tuesday the 15th drops to 3-4ft, but offshore NW wind keeps it clean – a nice, quiet option if the big days feel too heavy.
We hit a slow stretch from Wednesday the 16th through the rest of that week. Swell dips below 2ft for a while. Thursday the 17th morning has a tiny 2ft, 15-second period S swell with offshore wind – clean but small.
The next standout is Saturday, September 19th morning. A 5-6ft S swell, 15-second period – 1395 (strong) energy – and the wind is howling offshore from the N at 19 mph. That’s going to groom the reef sharp. It’s a long-range tip, so keep the fingers crossed.
Then things get messy again until Wednesday, September 23rd morning. Another nice pulse: 4ft S swell with a 19-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell, 1529 (strong) energy. Glassy calm. For this reef, that’s magic. But that kind of period can make it pitchy and fast – expert only.
Best bets: Sunday the 13th morning, and the long-range look at Saturday the 19th morning. Eyes peeled.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 16 | S 6 | S 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
284 | 196 | 128 | 79 | 55 | 80 | 206 | 238 | 156 | 215 | 1017 | 3000 | 2842 | 1735 | 1028 | 726 | 692 | 480 | 327 | 231 | 127 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:41PM1.74m | 4:12AM1.62m | 4:37PM1.75m | 5:08AM1.63m | 5:33PM1.75m | 6:03AM1.67m | 6:25PM1.75m | 6:56AM1.71m | 7:15PM1.74m | 7:45AM1.75m | 8:04PM1.73m | 8:30AM1.77m | 8:52PM1.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:27AM0.13m | 10:02PM0.13m | 10:25AM0.11m | 10:59PM0.13m | 11:19AM0.11m | 11:53PM0.14m | 12:11PM0.13m | 00:45AM0.17m | 1:02PM0.18m | 1:33AM0.22m | 1:52PM0.24m | 2:19AM0.27m | 2:43PM0.29m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 6 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 |
284 | 196 | 128 | 79 | 55 | 44 | 33 | 103 | 51 | 60 | 1017 | 3000 | 2842 | 1735 | 1028 | 726 | 692 | 480 | 327 | 231 | 127 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 16 | S 19 | SE 7 | S 18 | S 17 | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 12 | S 17 | E 8 | NE 4 | S 16 | E 8 | SSW 13 |
56 | 36 | 34 | 22 | 21 | 80 | 184 | 62 | 156 | 215 | 33 | 30 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 87 | 5 | 10 | 21 | 6 | 60 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | E 15 | NE 4 | ENE 8 | NE 7 | NE 3 | SSW 13 | S 18 | ESE 7 | ENE 8 | ESE 7 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NE 12 | E 10 | E 9 | S 16 | E 12 |
4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 56 | 238 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 25 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 21 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 2 | NW 3 | — | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | — | NNE 4 | NE 4 | NNE 4 |
— | — | 1 | 6 | — | — | 206 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 45 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 41 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 155 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
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.










