Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, S swell with 7,445 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rolling Stones this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Rolling Stones in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 3.0m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The surf around Rolling Stones (reef) is about to go through the wringer before we see anything good. Water temp is running about 54°, which is a touch cooler than average, so you’ll be wanting the rubber.
The next few days are a total loss. Thursday and Friday are weak, small, and the wind is no good. There’s a hint of a wave on Thursday morning, but it’s nothing to write home about. The swell energy is weak (141-200) and the period is short. Keep the board in the car.
Things start to get real Saturday the 15th. We’ve got a 7ft pulse of East swell, but the wind turns onshore and the period drops. It’s a messy, choppy mess. This kicks off a stretch of rough, blown-out surf that runs right through to Tuesday the 19th. The swell just keeps building, maxing out at a monstrous 15ft from the South with a long 12-second period. The energy is through the roof – 5816 – but it's all for nothing because of the strong winds. The waves are huge, but the surface is a total mess. This is a kiteboarding situation, not a surfing one.
By Wednesday the 20th, the wind eases, but we’re still dealing with 8ft of unruly, long-period swell. It’s a marginal call at best.
Now, for the good stuff. Friday morning, the 21st, is your day. The wind drops to zero – glassy – with a clean 5ft of South swell on an 11-second period. This reef is going to be a thing of beauty. The energy is solid. This is the one you don’t want to miss.
The rest of the week has a few fun, surfable days, but nothing close to that Friday. Then there’s another pulse of energy on Tuesday the 25th – a very long 14-second South swell pushing to around 5-6ft. Early morning looks clean with light offshore winds. It’s promising, but with that long period, it might be breaking a bit straight, so the reef should handle it best. It’s a good one to have on the radar, but it’s further out, so keep expectations in check. After that, it fades into small surf again.
So there you have it. A rough start, a stormy middle, but two clear windows of clean, quality surf. The standout is Friday morning, August 21st. The Tuesday the 25th is also worth a look. Just keep your wits about you.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 62mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Sat morning, strong winds from the SSW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun afternoon). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 16 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 6 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 12 | S 12 | S 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 155 | 82 | 69 | 20 | 20 | 977 | 654 | 612 | 524 | 601 | 3251 | 2393 | 1628 | 1952 | 1813 | 2323 | 1219 | 1752 | 5816 | 4836 | 5726 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:54PM1.87m | 6:24AM1.72m | 6:49PM1.87m | 7:19AM1.73m | 7:41PM1.84m | 8:11AM1.75m | 8:31PM1.81m | 9:00AM1.76m | 9:21PM1.76m | 9:46AM1.75m | 10:10PM1.71m | 10:33AM1.72m | 10:59PM1.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:39AM0.06m | 00:16AM0.09m | 12:32PM0.05m | 1:11AM0.09m | 1:24PM0.08m | 2:02AM0.11m | 2:17PM0.13m | 2:51AM0.16m | 3:09PM0.20m | 3:39AM0.22m | 4:01PM0.28m | 4:27AM0.30m | 4:51PM0.34m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | |  | | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — |
mm | 8 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | S 15 | S 16 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 10 | SSE 11 | SE 9 | — | ESE 14 | S 15 |
| kJ | 155 | 82 | 69 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 612 | 524 | 412 | 248 | 154 | 110 | 98 | 28 | 19 | 955 | 196 | — | 18 | 5726 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 9 | ESE 14 | SSE 9 | ESE 14 | E 11 | SE 13 | S 18 | SSW 17 | — | — | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | — | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | ESE 14 | — |
| kJ | 28 | 42 | 18 | 15 | 20 | 9 | 7 | 25 | 100 | — | — | 286 | 333 | — | 43 | 19 | 7 | — | — | 18 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 11 | ESE 14 | S 16 | — | SSW 14 | ESE 13 | SSW 17 | — | — | SE 15 | ESE 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 17 | 17 | 12 | 19 | 20 | — | 20 | 17 | 164 | — | — | 9 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | SSW 6 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 12 | S 12 | S 15 |
| kJ | 27 | 44 | 182 | 186 | 240 | 977 | 654 | — | — | 601 | 3251 | 2393 | 1628 | 1952 | 1813 | 2323 | 1219 | 1752 | 5816 | 4836 | 4915 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 129 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 141 | 145 | 162 | 93 | 93 | 91 | 169 | 93 | 93 | 91 | 170 | 78 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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