Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, S swell with 1,333 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. 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 2.1m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get into this. This outlook is for Rolling Stones, and the surf is very much a tale of two halves. The forecast period stretches all the way to the end of September, so we've got some time to work with. The first real action kicks off on Monday, September 14th.
It starts off with a bang. Monday morning the 14th, Rolling Stones is pumping. We’re looking at a solid 7ft south swell mixing in with a long, powerful 12-second period. The energy pushing in here is really strong. The kicker is the wind is absolutely glassy, dead calm. For a reef break like this that handles a south swell well, that’s a recipe for perfection. This is serious, expert-level stuff—too much power for beginners. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so you won't need a thick suit.
That Monday afternoon, the wind swings onshore a touch and it gets messy, and the quality drops right off. Tuesday the 15th still has some clean waves in the morning with a 5ft south swell and a clean offshore breeze, but the size is down. The real standout in the first week is undeniably that Monday morning glass-off. That's the one to circle.
After a few days of mediocre, onshore, and generally poor conditions through the middle of the month, the surf really takes a holiday. From about the 19th through the 22nd, it’s a write-off. Strong winds and lumpy, choppy conditions make it pretty ugly.
We do see a glimmer of hope late in the period. By Monday the 21st, we get a decent clean-up with some offshore winds and 4ft swell, but it’s still ordinary. Then Wednesday the 23rd afternoon through Thursday the 24th morning brings some glassy conditions and a very long period groundswell from the south. The periods hit 15 and even 17 seconds, but the swell height is tiny, only 2ft. That’s a lot of energy for a tiny wave, but at Rolling Stones, a long period south swell this small might not wrap in as well, just some long lines.
The real second standout is a long way off. On Sunday, September 27th, the morning is set to be an absolute bomb. The forecast shows a 10ft south swell with a 13-second period and glassy conditions. This is for experts only—huge, powerful waves at a reef. It’s far out, so the certainty isn't as high as that first Monday, but if it comes together, it will be the best day of the period. As of now, that’s the one to watch.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 11 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 15 | SSW 6 | S 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1510 | 1333 | 1145 | 699 | 434 | 284 | 173 | 108 | 65 | 89 | 122 | 87 | 52 | 231 | 236 | 187 | 157 | 310 | 800 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:45AM1.75m | 8:04PM1.73m | 8:30AM1.77m | 8:52PM1.71m | 9:14AM1.76m | 9:39PM1.68m | 9:58AM1.72m | 10:25PM1.64m | 10:45AM1.66m | 11:11PM1.59m | 11:34AM1.60m | 11:55PM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:33AM0.22m | 1:52PM0.24m | 2:19AM0.27m | 2:43PM0.29m | 3:05AM0.33m | 3:31PM0.34m | 3:51AM0.39m | 4:19PM0.39m | 4:38AM0.42m | 5:05PM0.42m | 5:24AM0.45m | 5:53PM0.44m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 7 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | NE 7 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 15 |
| kJ | 1510 | 1333 | 1145 | 699 | 434 | 284 | 173 | 108 | 65 | 89 | 122 | 87 | 75 | 231 | 236 | 187 | 127 | 123 | 218 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 13 | S 16 | S 16 | NE 5 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SE 9 | NE 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 15 | ENE 7 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 14 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 44 | 19 | 14 | 29 | 25 | 32 | 49 | 42 | 52 | 16 | 18 | 38 | 157 | 4 | 77 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 10 | E 13 | SSW 16 | S 15 | ENE 4 | SE 12 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 48 | 17 | 1 | 23 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 35 | 13 | 8 | 30 | 18 | 8 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 2 | ENE 3 | NW 3 | — | — | — | N 3 | NE 4 | — | WNW 3 | — | W 2 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | S 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | 10 | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 21 | — | 2 | — | 1 | 70 | 310 | 800 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 41 | 41 | 7 | 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.
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