Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 13,547 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. 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 6.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 20ft (6.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 20ft (6.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the Rollin’ Stones for the next couple weeks.
We’re starting off with water temps around 54°F, which is a bit cooler than usual for this time of year. Nothing major, but worth a hood if you’ve got one.
The whole thing kicks off Wednesday, August 12th, with a 5ft SSE swell, but it’s a short 8-second period, weak energy at 259, and cross-offshore wind making it a mess. Thursday and Friday are just as bad—tiny, messy, or glassy and flat. Friday morning, August 14th, sees a 2ft swell with glassy wind, but it’s too small to surf.
Saturday, August 15th, we get a 6ft E swell (energy 426) with a light cross-offshore wind. The report says “expect good surf conditions,” so that’s the first real chance to get wet, but it’s not a standout.
Then, from Sunday, August 16th, through Wednesday, August 19th, it’s pure chaos. Sunday morning hits 13ft from the S with a strong cross-onshore wind at 25 mph, and energy rockets to 2255. By Wednesday, the swell peaks at 16ft with a 14-second period and energy at 19522, but it’s all cross-onshore and blown-out. This is kite-surfing territory, not for paddle boarders.
The big winner is Thursday, August 20th. Morning brings a 10ft S groundswell (12-second period, energy 2407) with a light cross-offshore wind from the W. The forecast calls it “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s over 8ft, so experts only, but the wind is clean, the swell direction is spot-on for the Stones, and the energy is pumping. Crowds are possible, but on a Thursday morning, it’s manageable.
Friday, August 21st, is a solid runner-up. A 6ft S swell (11 seconds, energy 759) with a light cross-offshore wind. It’s smaller, so strong intermediates can get in on it, and the waves should be well-shaped.
After that, it fades fast. From Saturday, August 22nd, onward, swells drop to 5ft or smaller, with mixed winds and marginal conditions. The last week of the window can’t get above 3ft, and energy stays under 3000. Even the 16-second period swells on the 23rd and 25th don’t have enough size to matter.
Best bet: Thursday, August 20th, at Rolling Stones—big, clean, for experts only. Friday the 21st is a good backup. Everything else is either a stormy mess or flat. Keep your eyes on the 20th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sat morning, strong winds from the SSW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 245 | 416 | 242 | 155 | 97 | 78 | 51 | 96 | 210 | 381 | 298 | 402 | 2202 | 2823 | 2806 | 2033 | 1532 | 1780 | 2362 | 2668 | 4696 |
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-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 4:56PM1.86m | 5:26AM1.71m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:43AM0.10m | 11:18PM0.11m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |  |  | | | |
 | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 2 | -1 | -1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 6 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | S 16 | E 9 | SE 13 | SE 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 245 | 416 | 242 | 155 | 97 | 78 | 192 | 96 | 210 | 381 | 298 | 159 | 38 | 38 | 40 | 16 | 254 | 15 | 511 | 503 | 3538 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | ESE 14 | SE 8 | ENE 7 | SE 12 | ESE 13 | S 18 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 9 | SE 16 | ENE 8 | — | SE 12 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 8 | 39 | 52 | 28 | 42 | 18 | 51 | 91 | 39 | 17 | 60 | 84 | 39 | 29 | 10 | 14 | — | 403 | 7 | 8 | 183 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | E 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 16 | ESE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 19 | ESE 13 | SSW 16 | ESE 12 | ESE 8 | SE 16 | — | — | E 10 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | 2 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 10 | 17 | 8 | 28 | 17 | 144 | 14 | 49 | 10 | — | — | 30 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | — | — | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 |
| kJ | 6 | 13 | 20 | 20 | 29 | 128 | 341 | 206 | 276 | — | — | 402 | 2202 | 2823 | 2806 | 2033 | 1532 | 1780 | 2362 | 2668 | 4696 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 82 | 141 | 93 | 96 | 91 | 93 | 82 | 65 | 169 | 65 |
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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