
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SE swell with 1,196 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s 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 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rolling Stones in the next 16 days are 1.7m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
Alright, let's see what's shaking at Rolling Stones. It's a solid reef break that's pretty open to swell, and you'll often have some company out there. The water's about what you'd expect for this time of year.
We're kicking off with a slow start. Saturday the 11th is a write-off—2.2m SE swell but with a short period and a messy cross-onshore wind. The energy's pumping at 1067, but the quality is rubbish.
Sunday the 12th drops to a 3ft S swell with a long 15-second period, but the cross-shore wind makes it all a bit average. It's nothing to write home about.
Monday the 13th is where things get interesting. A clean 3ft S swell with a light offshore wind. It's small, the energy is weak (274), but it's clean, so a log will have a nice time in the morning.
The standout, and I mean the standout, is Friday the 17th of July. That morning and afternoon are looking prime. A clean 5ft SE swell with a very long 15-second period. The energy is strong at 1013, and with a slight air and glassy conditions, this reef will be cooking. That's proper groundswell, and this break is built for it. For the advanced crew, that's your session.
Saturday the 18th holds a 4ft SE swell but the cross-shore wind messes it up by the afternoon. Then look out—Sunday the 19th sees a massive 13ft S swell with a strong onshore wind, creating huge, blown-out surf with an insane 9768 combined energy. That's experts only, and even then, with that wind, it's more of a monster than a wave. That setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
It then drops off with poor days through to the 24th as onshore winds and smaller swells take over. The energy drops back to weak (52–200), and it's not worth it.
We get another little chance on Saturday the 25th of July. A clean 3ft S swell with a long 16-second period and a light offshore wind. The energy is moderate (317), and it will be clean, but it's not the size of the 17th.
Plain and simple: the 17th of July is your best bet by a long shot. Don't miss it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | SE 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | SE 9 | S 10 | ESE 9 | S 12 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 12 | SE 15 | ESE 18 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
822 | 606 | 338 | 343 | 222 | 216 | 135 | 122 | 56 | 73 | 17 | 20 | 50 | 47 | 38 | 56 | 395 | 595 | 915 | 993 | 1196 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 6:44AM1.79m | 7:11PM1.96m | 7:42AM1.78m | 8:06PM1.93m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:53PM0.04m | 1:34AM0.06m | 1:47PM0.03m | 2:28AM0.06m | ||||||||
7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | |
mm | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | NE 5 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 18 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
822 | 606 | 338 | 252 | 178 | 173 | 120 | 122 | 49 | 46 | 17 | 8 | 50 | 47 | 38 | 53 | 395 | 595 | 915 | 993 | 1196 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 10 | SE 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 10 | ESE 10 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ESE 9 | SE 15 | S 17 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SSW 13 |
55 | 248 | 334 | 343 | 222 | 216 | 135 | 79 | 47 | 73 | 16 | 20 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 56 | 24 | 40 | 32 | 30 | 31 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | S 10 | SSW 10 | S 7 | S 7 | E 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | SSW 13 | E 15 | ESE 10 | ESE 8 | S 9 | S 16 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | S 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | — |
48 | 51 | 32 | 57 | 31 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 56 | 4 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 23 | 21 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | — | SSW 6 | — | — | — | N 2 | NNE 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 6 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 2 | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 |
147 | — | 68 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 8 | 18 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 41 | 82 | 0 |
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.










