
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 11s period, S swell with 6,653 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 9s. 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 5.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a solid window ahead, but it’s gonna take some patience.
The first week is a write-off for us at Rolling Stones. That big 16ft to 18ft SSE swell with strong onshore winds is just a mess – a lot of energy (5090 to 6823) but it’s all blown out. The water is sitting at 56°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good wetsuit. That “poor surf” tag sticks around through Friday and Saturday, even as the swell drops. The wind stays onshore or cross-on, making it lumpy and choppy. Not worth paddling out.
Sunday the 12th shows a glimmer of hope. The swell drops to 3ft from the south, but with a very long 15-second period. The wind goes light and cross-off, and the forecast says “clean.” The combined energy is moderate (583). It’s small, but that long period means it could have some shape. Still, it’s a marginal call.
The next few days, Monday through Thursday, are tiny. We’re talking 1.0ft to 3ft waves. The energy is weak (56 to 286). Even with glassy conditions on the 15th, there’s just not enough swell to ride. A gap of several days with no real recommendations.
Then things get interesting. Friday the 17th starts to build again, but it’s cross-on and choppy. Not the day.
The standout is Saturday the 18th. Rolling Stones will be firing. We’re looking at a 7ft to 7ft SE swell with a 13 to 14-second period (moderate energy at 1596-1962). The wind is light and cross-off, keeping it clean. This is solid for experienced surfers – it’s big enough to be a handful, but the long period and clean wind will make for some excellent waves. This is the best on offer.
Sunday the 19th is a close second. The swell drops to a more manageable 5ft, still SE, with a 12-second period. Light offshore or cross-off winds, clean conditions, and the energy is solid (941-950). This is a great day for a wider range of surfers.
The following week gets a bit messy. Monday the 20th is worth a look with a 3ft, 15-second south swell and clean conditions, but it’s small. Tuesday the 21st brings a 10ft east swell, but it’s accompanied by strong cross-shore winds and rain. That’s a raw, lumpy mess. Wednesday and Thursday are similar – onshore and cross-on winds ruining the swell.
Looking way out, Friday the 24th is a serious long-range standout. The forecast shows a 16ft south swell with an 11-second period under glassy, light winds. The energy is pumping (5460). That’s a big, powerful swell for experts only. It’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it, but if it comes together, it’ll be the biggest and cleanest day of the window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 66mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Thu night, light winds from the SW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 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) | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 15 | SE 9 | S 12 | SE 9 | S 10 | SE 8 | S 12 | S 12 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4570 | 6397 | 6653 | 3798 | 2519 | 1291 | 959 | 577 | 405 | 272 | 237 | 220 | 133 | 94 | 70 | 78 | 25 | 24 | 56 | 55 | 47 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 12:26PM1.63m | 00:54AM1.67m | 1:22PM1.70m | 1:49AM1.70m | 2:19PM1.77m | 2:46AM1.73m | 3:16PM1.84m | 3:46AM1.75m | 4:14PM1.90m | 4:46AM1.78m | 5:14PM1.94m | 5:45AM1.79m | 6:14PM1.96m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:42PM0.36m | 7:07AM0.30m | 7:39PM0.34m | 8:00AM0.29m | 8:39PM0.30m | 8:58AM0.26m | 9:39PM0.25m | 10:00AM0.22m | 10:38PM0.19m | 11:01AM0.15m | 11:37PM0.13m | 11:59AM0.08m | 00:36AM0.09m | ||||||||
7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | |
mm | 8 | 8 | 40 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | ESE 10 | S 16 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ESE 9 |
520 | 426 | 146 | 103 | 1633 | 79 | 959 | 577 | 405 | 266 | 237 | 194 | 115 | 92 | 70 | 41 | 23 | 65 | 19 | 18 | 47 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | — | — | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | S 10 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | NE 6 |
2 | — | — | 182 | 252 | 109 | 55 | 248 | 334 | 272 | 225 | 220 | 133 | 94 | 46 | 78 | 25 | 15 | 56 | 55 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 7 | S 7 | E 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | S 14 | E 11 | S 21 | SE 10 | S 9 | ESE 13 | SE 12 |
— | — | — | — | — | 121 | 48 | 35 | 33 | 45 | 33 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 33 | 2 | 8 | 24 | 2 | 17 | 37 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | NE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | — | — | — |
4570 | 6397 | 6653 | 3798 | 2519 | 1291 | 70 | 102 | 51 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 16 | 41 | 104 | 143 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 135 | 158 | 169 | 162 | 158 | 78 | 7 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










