
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with 6,879 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period with SE 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 (Jul 12) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 15s. 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 5.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
This is a tricky one. The next few days are a total write-off – we're looking at a solid 4 to 5 day stretch of nothing but poor conditions. The swell is way too big, blowing up over 15ft, with a screaming 25 mph onshore wind that’s just trashing everything. You wouldn't want to be anywhere near the water. The water temperature is sitting at 56°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll want a good thick wetsuit when things clean up.
The real action starts to stir on Sunday the 12th. The morning is the standout. We get a clean 5ft swell from the SE with barely a whisper of wind – a slight offshore from the west. The combined energy is moderate (667) and the conditions are clean. This is the best bet for the early part of the outlook. For the advanced crew, this is a window to get on it. The afternoon drops off, so make the most of the morning.
The next real highlight doesn't come until Friday the 17th in the afternoon. This is a serious one. The swell picks up to a solid 7ft from the SE, and the wind goes completely glassy – dead calm. The combined energy is strong (2275), and it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is a big, powerful, clean groundswell with a very long period of 16 seconds. That long period will make it break a bit straight at the beach, but for a setup like Rolling Stones, a reef, it should shape up nicely. This is the one to circle on the calendar.
Looking further out, there's a final pulse on Wednesday the 24th. The swell is big, pushing 10ft on the Friday morning and 12ft in the afternoon from the ESE, with a clean offshore wind. The combined energy is very strong (2617 to 3174). This is expert-only territory, big and powerful. It’s promising, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.
So, to sum it up: the start is a total bust. Wait for the clean Sunday morning (12th) for your first real session, and then definitely lock in the glassy Friday afternoon (17th) as the absolute standout of the whole 16-day window. The final big swell at the end of the month is one for the experts to watch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 55mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Thu night, light winds from the WSW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4178 | 5677 | 6879 | 3663 | 2474 | 1332 | 869 | 894 | 526 | 357 | 284 | 184 | 106 | 100 | 48 | 52 | 37 | 38 | 40 | 40 | 111 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:26PM1.63m | 00:54AM1.67m | 1:22PM1.70m | 1:49AM1.70m | 2:19PM1.77m | 2:46AM1.73m | 3:16PM1.84m | 3:46AM1.75m | 4:14PM1.90m | 4:46AM1.78m | 5:14PM1.94m | 5:45AM1.79m | 6:14PM1.96m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:42PM0.36m | 7:07AM0.30m | 7:39PM0.34m | 8:00AM0.29m | 8:39PM0.30m | 8:58AM0.26m | 9:39PM0.25m | 10:00AM0.22m | 10:38PM0.19m | 11:01AM0.15m | 11:37PM0.13m | 11:59AM0.08m | 00:36AM0.09m | ||||||||
7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | |
mm | 7 | 8 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | E 10 | SW 20 | S 17 | S 17 | S 16 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 10 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 12 |
408 | 386 | 97 | 153 | 147 | 79 | 869 | 894 | 526 | 357 | 272 | 182 | 105 | 92 | 45 | 45 | 68 | 20 | 40 | 40 | 111 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | — | — | — | S 17 | SSW 12 | S 20 | S 19 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 |
107 | — | — | — | 147 | 109 | 72 | 251 | 334 | 272 | 284 | 184 | 106 | 100 | 48 | 52 | 37 | 38 | 5 | 14 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | S 16 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 7 | — | — | ESE 10 | NE 12 | S 14 | E 11 | S 12 | ESE 7 | ENE 6 | ESE 13 | SE 16 |
— | — | — | — | — | 121 | 43 | 36 | 33 | 38 | — | — | 52 | 5 | 33 | 2 | 25 | 5 | 8 | 34 | 40 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | — | — | — | N 3 | N 3 | NE 2 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | — | WNW 2 | — | — |
4178 | 5677 | 6879 | 3663 | 2474 | 1332 | 145 | 143 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 40 | 49 | 175 | — | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 141 | 141 | 488 | 162 | 158 | 78 | 82 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
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.










