
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, S swell with 8,586 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period with SSE 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 07) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m 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 5.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.
We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag on the cards for the Rolling Stones. The first few days are a write-off, with Wednesday and Thursday looking pretty grim, so don’t bother paddling out until we get past that. The real action starts to build from Friday morning.
The standout window is looking like Friday morning, the 7th of August. It’s not huge, but we’re talking about 4ft of south swell, and the kicker here is the glassy conditions. That’s a rare treat, so get on it early. The period is a very long 17 seconds, which means proper groundswell energy. This is a reef break, so that long period will push through nicely, giving you some proper shape. The combined energy is still strong (1610), so there’s plenty of grunt in the water. The water temp is about average for this time of year, which is fine.
Saturday morning, the 8th, is also a solid call. You’ll see a bit more size at 6ft, still from the south, with a clean offshore breeze from the NNW. It’s not quite as glassy as Friday, but it’ll be clean. The period drops to 12 seconds, so it’s a bit more manageable. Combined energy is still decent (1229). This is a good one for the weekend.
After that, the week after sees a drop in quality. Sunday and Monday are smaller and a bit messy, but there’s a little window Tuesday morning, the 11th, with 4ft and glassy conditions again. It’s a smaller swell, but if you’re desperate, it’ll be clean.
Things get a bit iffy again mid-week, with some lumpy onshore winds. Then Thursday the 13th morning has a clean 5ft, but it’s short period, so don’t expect much push.
Heading into the second week, the 16th and 17th look pretty average with onshore winds. However, keep an eye on Thursday morning, the 20th of August. That’s the one that’s a bit further out, but it’s promising. Clean conditions, 8ft from the south with a cross-offshore breeze. That’s a good size, but it’s getting into territory where it’s best for the more experienced crew. Combined energy is moderate (946). It’s a long-range call, so don’t bet the farm on it, but it’s worth watching.
For the real standout, I’d be locking in Friday morning, the 7th of August. That glassy, long-period south swell is a rare gem for the Rolling Stones. Just be aware, it can get crowded here sometimes, so get out early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 10°C on Fri afternoon, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue night, calm by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 10 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 13 | SSE 11 | SSW 10 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
6616 | 6919 | 4829 | 3024 | 2177 | 1246 | 365 | 708 | 1297 | 1584 | 1118 | 827 | 553 | 326 | 212 | 402 | 158 | 167 | 354 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 10:04PM1.65m | 10:22AM1.63m | 10:51PM1.66m | 11:10AM1.67m | 11:41PM1.67m | 12:04PM1.70m | 00:33AM1.67m | 1:01PM1.74m | 1:29AM1.67m | 2:00PM1.77m | 2:29AM1.68m | 2:59PM1.81m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:19AM0.27m | 4:38PM0.30m | 5:05AM0.28m | 5:29PM0.31m | 5:54AM0.28m | 6:23PM0.31m | 6:46AM0.27m | 7:22PM0.29m | 7:41AM0.25m | 8:22PM0.24m | 8:41AM0.22m | 9:21PM0.19m | |||||||
— | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | |
mm | 8 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 10 |
Feels °C | -3 | -1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SE 16 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 13 | SSE 11 | SSW 10 | S 10 |
— | — | — | 41 | 1764 | 1246 | 336 | 698 | 1297 | 1584 | 1118 | 827 | 553 | 326 | 212 | 402 | 158 | 167 | 354 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SE 15 | NE 10 | SSE 12 | S 17 | SSE 10 | ESE 13 | SE 12 | E 13 | S 20 | S 14 | SSE 14 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSE 10 | SE 12 |
— | — | — | — | 36 | 4 | 365 | 708 | 555 | 17 | 24 | 4 | 8 | 107 | 189 | 12 | 6 | 59 | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 18 | E 17 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 12 | E 14 | SE 12 | NE 13 | NE 13 | S 18 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
— | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 249 | 204 | 141 | 4 | 87 | 7 | 7 | 25 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | — | — |
6616 | 6919 | 4829 | 3024 | 2177 | 883 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 29 | 32 | 3 | 5 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 169 | 91 | 162 | 78 | 45 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 33 | 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.











