
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, S swell with 7,248 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s 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 (Aug 02) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s. 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 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming our way.
We’re looking at a tricky 16-day window, with a big gap of poor conditions right at the start. The first proper chance to get wet doesn't roll around until the Sunday morning of the 2nd of August. Before that, the wind is all wrong and the swell is junk. Expect a slow start with a few days of nothing worth paddling out for.
The standout opportunity in this whole period looks to be Monday morning, the 3rd of August. We’ve got a solid 5ft of swell rolling in from the S, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the WNW. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The combined wave energy is moderate at 494, and the 10-second period should give you some decent shape. It’s not going to be huge, but it’s the cleanest surf we’ll see all week at Rolling Stones. This is an advanced reef break though, so it’s not for the groms.
After that, the runs get a bit messy. The Sunday afternoon of the 2nd of August has 8ft of S swell with a 11-second period, and the wind goes light cross-shore, making for some workable but not perfect waves. It’s a marginal call, but there’s potential if you’re keen.
Fast forward to the 7th of August, and we’ve got a real treat. Friday morning the wind turns light offshore from the NW, with a 3ft S swell. The combined energy is weak at 338, but with glassy conditions and a clean face, this is a classic small-wave day for the longboard or a fish. The Friday afternoon is even better with a glassy 3ft SSE swell. If you’re an advanced surfer, this is the session to lock in.
The second week gets a bit wilder. There’s a lot of energy from the 8th, with a 7ft S groundswell on the Saturday morning, but it’s cross-shore winds and a 15-second period. That long period will make it a bit wonky at a beach break, but for a reef like Rolling Stones it could be lined up. The Sunday the 9th is a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds and messy 13ft E swell. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.
The 10th and 11th of August see some serious 16ft+ E swell, but the wind is a fresh cross-shore mess. The 14th of August offers a glimmer of hope with a 8ft ESE swell and a clean cross-offshore wind from the NE. It’s marginal, but it’s the cleanest option in the second week.
Overall, keep your eyes on the 3rd of August morning and the 7th of August for the cleanest, most fun waves. The rest is a battle with the wind.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Mon night, light winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 10 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
256 | 190 | 154 | 103 | 1736 | 4351 | 4519 | 2338 | 1388 | 831 | 458 | 284 | 636 | 4185 | 7248 | 4432 | 2644 | 2168 | 1229 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 6:43AM1.44m | 7:06PM1.57m | 7:30AM1.47m | 7:50PM1.58m | 8:14AM1.51m | 8:34PM1.61m | 8:57AM1.55m | 9:19PM1.63m | 9:39AM1.59m | 10:04PM1.65m | 10:22AM1.63m | 10:51PM1.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:38AM0.36m | 12:47PM0.33m | 1:23AM0.32m | 1:30PM0.31m | 2:07AM0.29m | 2:15PM0.29m | 2:50AM0.27m | 3:02PM0.29m | 3:34AM0.27m | 3:49PM0.29m | 4:19AM0.27m | 4:38PM0.30m | |||||||
— | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | NE 6 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 15 | E 17 | E 16 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
256 | 44 | 154 | 103 | 116 | 6 | 5 | 2338 | 1388 | 831 | 458 | 284 | 636 | 4185 | 7248 | 4432 | 2644 | 2168 | 1229 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | ESE 11 | NE 6 | SE 16 | ESE 12 | E 11 | ENE 16 | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | S 22 | S 13 | S 18 | E 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | E 11 | S 15 |
36 | 190 | 14 | 61 | 45 | 21 | 25 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 55 | 101 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 2 | 553 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | SSW 16 | SE 15 | NE 6 | E 17 | ENE 17 | — | — | S 20 | S 19 | ENE 13 | S 20 | E 13 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 11 |
21 | 47 | 37 | 5 | 6 | 29 | — | — | 8 | 7 | 17 | 69 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | WNW 3 | W 4 | SSW 10 | S 12 | S 13 | — | — | — | NW 3 | W 3 | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 |
13 | 115 | 5 | 18 | 1736 | 4351 | 4519 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 175 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 33 | 8 | 10 | 88 | 113 | 78 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 90 | 78 | 10 | 1 | 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)
Latest Updates
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.











