
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 7,536 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 12AM (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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s. 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 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's break this down. The water's running about 13°, which is a touch under 1° cooler than average for this time of year, so nothing drastic, just a little autumn cool-down.
We're looking at a slow start. Saturday afternoon is a total washout with tiny, weak swell and poor conditions. Sunday morning gets a little better with a clean 0.7m SSW swell, but it's still nothing to write home about. The real highlight of the first week doesn't come until Wednesday the 9th. That morning we've got a glassy 1.6m SSE swell with the wind dead calm – that's a perfect recipe for clean, fun waves. The energy is moderate (337), so there's a bit of punch, but it's not a beast. It's a reef break that breaks fairly often, so you might see a few other heads in the water, but with that morning glass, it's the best you'll see in the early days.
The end of the first week and into the second is where it gets serious. Thursday the 10th is a dud, but then Friday the 11th afternoon shows a clean 2.5m SSW swell, even with a bit of cross-off wind. That's a big jump. Then, get ready, because Sunday the 13th morning is a monster. We're talking a 3.5m S groundswell with a 16-second period and clean northwest winds. The energy is a massive 5888, which is serious, heavy water. This is a big, powerful groundswell for experienced surfers only. That long period means the waves will be better shaped but the sets will be spaced out, making the paddle out a bit easier. The conditions are clean, but it's a handful.
Right after that, Monday the 14th morning is even bigger, with a 4.0m S swell at 13 seconds and clean offshore wind, energy hitting 4964. Another day for the experts. The swell drops slowly through the next week, but it stays clean and rideable. Wednesday the 16th morning has a clean 1.7m S swell, and by Thursday the 17th morning it's glassy again with a 1.0m S swell, perfect for a smaller board.
The absolute standout of the whole 16-day window is Sunday the 20th. That afternoon shows a massive 5.5m S swell with a 17-second period and clean cross-off wind. The energy reading is a staggering 15873 – that's an unbelievable amount of power. It's flagged as potentially too big for this break, so if you're not a top-tier expert, stay on the beach. But for the serious chargers, that's the day to have marked. Just remember, it's a long way off, so don't book your flights just yet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the WSW by Thu night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 7 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 8 | SSW 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
41 | 92 | 102 | 104 | 147 | 47 | 44 | 1323 | 1361 | 842 | 505 | 333 | 280 | 135 | 62 | 35 | 84 | 1267 | 1270 | 440 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 5:08AM1.63m | 5:33PM1.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:19AM0.11m | 11:53PM0.14m | |||||||
— | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 8 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | S 17 | SSW 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 9 | S 15 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSW 16 | ENE 13 | S 18 | S 9 |
41 | 92 | 102 | 25 | 147 | 36 | 24 | 9 | 1124 | 4 | 505 | 333 | 280 | 135 | 62 | 35 | 84 | 34 | 164 | 440 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | S 12 | S 18 | SSW 18 | E 10 | S 16 | SSW 10 | — | S 15 | NE 16 | ENE 9 | ENE 7 | NE 9 | NE 4 | S 8 | S 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ENE 13 | S 18 |
28 | 78 | 25 | 104 | 2 | 47 | 32 | — | 4 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 5 | 23 | 12 | 13 | 2 | 17 | 248 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | NE 4 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | S 16 | — | NE 16 | — | E 17 | E 15 | E 15 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 8 | SE 8 | NE 13 | ENE 13 |
17 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 44 | — | 10 | — | 6 | 4 | 4 | 20 | 15 | 7 | 17 | 2 | 46 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | NW 3 | N 3 | — | N 4 | NE 6 | W 3 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 9 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | W 4 | SSW 8 | SSW 10 | WNW 4 |
1 | 2 | 2 | — | 14 | 47 | 8 | 1323 | 1361 | 842 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 7 | 19 | 1267 | 1270 | 13 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 88 | 41 | 78 | 91 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 64 | 8 | 41 | 1 | 8 |
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.










