Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 11s period, S swell with 6,571 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 14s. 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 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty checking in. Let’s talk about what’s on the horizon.
First week’s a total washout. From Thursday the 13th through Wednesday the 19th, it’s all no-go. Rain, strong winds, and blown-out surf. Nothing worth your time. Water temp is about 54°F, a bit colder than normal, so you’ll want the thick wetsuit.
The first real chance we get is on Thursday the 20th, but it’s still iffy. The one day to circle on your calendar is Friday the 21st of August at Rolling Stones. Swell from the S at about 4ft, with a super long period of 16 seconds – that’s groundswell, real deep-water energy. Winds are light offshore out of the NW, glassy clean. The combined energy is strong. For a reef break, that long period is gonna produce some proper lined-up walls.
Saturday the 22nd stays clean with cross-off winds, swell around 4ft to 5ft from the south, still with a long period. Not quite as good as Friday but still solid.
Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th bring full offshore winds from the NW. Swell drops a bit to around 3ft to 4ft, but that period holds long, up to 18 seconds on Monday afternoon. That’s still plenty of push for a reef.
Then it fades quick. By Wednesday the 26th we’re down to 1ft dribble and onshore junk. The whole second week after the 24th is pretty much a dud.
If you’re picking one session, make it Friday the 21st. That’s the standout.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Sat morning, strong winds from the SW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Mon morning). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | SE 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | ESE 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 36 | 25 | 582 | 769 | 559 | 603 | 792 | 3324 | 5174 | 5727 | 6571 | 4624 | 2749 | 2954 | 2243 | 3190 | 3184 | 1586 | 896 | 840 | 601 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | 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 | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 11:22AM1.67m | 11:48PM1.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:15AM0.36m | 5:41PM0.40m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | |  | |
 | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — |
mm | — | 6 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 0 | -1 | -2 | -1 | -2 | 1 | -1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 8 | — | E 11 | — | — | E 18 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 12 | S 16 | S 14 | SE 13 | S 9 |
| kJ | 36 | 25 | 18 | 17 | 559 | 603 | 252 | 151 | 91 | — | 64 | — | — | 6 | 265 | 5 | 39 | 174 | 175 | 28 | 601 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 16 | S 18 | SSW 18 | ESE 8 | ENE 9 | SSW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 15 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 25 | 15 | 7 | 21 | 25 | 106 | 105 | 90 | 212 | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 67 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | S 15 | — | ESE 13 | — | — | — | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | — | — | — | SE 14 | — | S 17 |
| kJ | 19 | 20 | 18 | — | 17 | — | — | — | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | 8 | — | 90 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 8 | E 9 | — | — | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | — |
| kJ | 114 | 119 | 582 | 769 | — | — | 792 | 3324 | 5174 | 5727 | 6571 | 4624 | 2749 | 2954 | 2243 | 3190 | 3184 | 1586 | 896 | 840 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 129 | 129 | 1 | 4 | 41 | 135 | 93 | 158 | 312 | 169 | 91 | 169 | 93 | 93 | 169 | 312 | 78 | 82 | 93 | 1 |
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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