
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, S swell with 4,201 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s 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 (Sep 13) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 15s period. 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. It's been a slow start, but there are some proper sessions coming up if you can time the wind.
The water is a bit nippy at 54.5°, running a touch colder than usual, so you’ll be needing a good suit.
The first real chance to paddle out is on Monday, September 14th. The earlier part of the weekend is mostly blown out. Saturday the 12th is a mess with a 4.6ft south swell and bad cross-onshore wind. Sunday the 13th morning has a solid 7.5ft south swell but the wind is cross-off, making it tricky. But Monday morning, September 14th, is the standout early window. It’s glassy, dead flat calm, with a clean 6.9ft south groundswell. The wave energy is solid (1263), and it will be a clean, powerful reef setup. This is a long period 12-second wave, so expect strong lines with longer lulls between sets. That size on a reef is for the advanced crew only, but for those guys, it's the best of the first week.
Tuesday the 15th morning is much smaller at 4.3ft but still glassy, a good smaller option. The surf then goes quiet through mid-week before a big new groundswell shows up.
Now for the big one. Circle Saturday, September 26th. The forecast is showing a serious pulse: an 11.5ft south swell with a very long period of 16 seconds. The energy is massive at 5673. The wind is predicted to be a clean cross-off, so the reef will be absolutely heaving. This is an expert-only zone. 11.5ft on a reef is heavy, the current will be ripping, and the paddle out will be a battle. But if you can handle it, that is the best looking day of the whole 16-day run. It's a ways out so stay flexible, but the potential is huge. It eases off a bit into Sunday the 27th, with a still solid 5.6ft and clean conditions.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 11 | S 10 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1055 | 4201 | 2289 | 1531 | 1372 | 1248 | 996 | 687 | 361 | 234 | 148 | 103 | 76 | 61 | 53 | 42 | 234 | 503 | 405 | 277 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:25PM1.75m | 6:56AM1.71m | 7:15PM1.74m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:45AM0.17m | 1:02PM0.18m | 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 | ||||||||
— | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 11 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | ENE 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 15 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 |
1055 | 4201 | 2289 | 14 | 1372 | 1248 | 996 | 687 | 361 | 234 | 148 | 103 | 76 | 61 | 53 | 35 | 224 | 503 | 405 | 277 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | E 9 | ENE 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | S 16 | S 16 | NE 5 | NE 4 | SE 11 | NE 6 | SE 12 | SE 11 | NNE 4 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 |
33 | 30 | 14 | 1 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 46 | 42 | 17 | 3 | 31 | 5 | 22 | 42 | 2 | 150 | 74 | 26 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | — | ENE 8 | SE 11 | E 15 | E 15 | E 8 | NE 11 | E 13 | E 13 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | E 11 | S 18 | S 17 | NE 4 |
18 | — | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 23 | 20 | 2 | 24 | 50 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | — | — | S 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 5 | WNW 2 | ENE 2 | — | WNW 2 | NE 4 | S 10 | — | — | NNE 4 |
128 | — | — | 1531 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 44 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | 234 | — | — | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 12 | 0 | 1 | 277 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
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.










