
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, SSW swell with 1,000 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period. 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 2.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore 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 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's talk about what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks.
Alright, we’re looking at a pretty quiet start here. The first few days are a bit of a write-off, with nothing much worth paddling out for. The surf really starts to wake up around the 7th of September, but it takes a few more days to get properly good.
The standout window is shaping up for the 9th of September. Wednesday morning we’ve got a clean 5ft south-southwest swell rolling in, with glassy conditions. The water temperature is sitting at 55°F right now, which is just a shade below normal for the time of year, nothing to worry about. The combined swell energy is moderate (412) and the period is a solid 9 seconds, so you’ll get some decent shape. This is the best session on offer, no question.
The next real highlight is a bigger swell on the 12th of September. That Saturday morning sees 8ft of south-southwest swell, but it’s a short period (8 seconds) and the wind is cross-off, so it’ll be clean but a bit messy. The combined energy jumps right up to a strong 939. This one is for the experienced crew only – that size is no joke for beginners.
Then, look at the 15th of September. Tuesday morning brings a clean 6ft south swell with a 9-second period, cross-off wind, and combined energy of 574. It’s a solid, clean day with good energy, but it’s not quite the standout of the 9th.
The 16th of September also has some potential. Wednesday morning is clean with 5ft south swell and a 12-second period, giving it a nice, long groundswell feel. The combined energy is strong at 665. This is a good one for the reefs and points, but keep in mind that long period swells can be a bit too straight at the beach breaks.
For the rest of the second week, the wind gets messy. From the 17th onward, it’s mostly cross-off and cross-on with a lot of rain and strong breezes, so the quality drops right off. The swells are there, but the conditions are poor.
To sum it up: the 9th of September is your best bet for clean, quality waves. The 12th is for the big-wave hunters, and the 15th and 16th are solid, clean options for the more experienced.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the SW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 9 | SSW 7 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | S 17 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 16 | S 15 | S 18 | S 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
80 | 42 | 92 | 100 | 104 | 147 | 51 | 44 | 51 | 120 | 833 | 700 | 408 | 234 | 129 | 80 | 58 | 45 | 116 | 314 | 343 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | off | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 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 | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 13 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 7 | S 10 | SSW 10 | S 8 | S 17 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 8 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | NE 7 | S 15 | S 18 | SSW 6 |
80 | 42 | 92 | 100 | 37 | 147 | 36 | 33 | 51 | 120 | 397 | 700 | 408 | 234 | 129 | 80 | 58 | 22 | 116 | 314 | 59 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | SSW 9 | S 12 | S 18 | SSW 18 | E 10 | SSW 16 | S 16 | NE 5 | S 7 | SE 7 | NE 9 | NE 7 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 5 | SSE 7 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | S 19 |
17 | 28 | 78 | 25 | 104 | 2 | 51 | 44 | 10 | 25 | 12 | 21 | 12 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 18 | 16 | 343 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 15 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | — | S 9 | W 3 | — | S 15 | NE 5 | NE 6 | E 17 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | E 13 | ENE 7 | S 16 | S 20 | SSE 7 | ENE 8 |
2 | 17 | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 18 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 10 | 45 | 68 | 5 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | — | NW 2 | NNW 3 | NNW 2 | N 3 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NW 3 | — | SSW 9 | — | — | — | NE 4 | NNE 4 | — | W 3 | SW 6 | SSW 5 | W 4 |
1 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 27 | 29 | 3 | — | 833 | — | — | — | 11 | 8 | — | 3 | 102 | 33 | 24 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 33 | 16 | 88 | 75 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 103 | 1 | 10 | 1 |
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.










