
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with 4,207 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rolling Stones in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what's coming our way.
We’ve got a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks. The first week is a bit of a write-off, mainly due to messy winds and poor conditions. The real action doesn’t kick off properly until Sunday the 13th, but when it does, we’re talking solid groundswell and some incredible conditions.
Rolling Stones is our only option on the table, and this reef break is a proper advanced wave. With a consistent track record, it's usually worth a look when the stars align. Water temp is sitting at 55°, which is about 1° cooler than usual for this time of year, so pretty average for the season. A little cool, but nothing a decent suit can’t handle.
Don’t even think about paddling out on Tuesday the 8th. We’ve got a messy 8 ft cross-onshore swell with weak energy (979). Wednesday morning the 9th is a glimmer of hope with glassy conditions and a small 5 ft SE swell (338), but it’s fairly weak and the afternoon turns to junk. Thursday the 10th drops right off.
Things start to look interesting from Sunday the 13th. This is the standout of the whole outlook. We’ve got a strong 8 ft S groundswell with a very long 16-second period rolling in, and the combined energy is absolutely pumping (3657). Morning winds are clean and cross-offshore from the west. This is prime for experienced surfers only—over 8 ft is expert territory. The long period means the reef will really line up, but you’ll have to deal with longer lulls between sets. Expect crowds here, as it’s a well-known spot.
Monday the 14th is almost as good. Another morning of glassy conditions with a 8 ft S swell (2061) and a 13-second period. Again, this is for the experienced crew. The afternoon wind swings around to a messy cross-shore, so get on it early.
Another big pulse arrives on Friday the 18th. The morning session catches a strong 8 ft S swell (2152) with a 14-second period and clean cross-offshore winds. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets a bit raggedy.
Saturday the 19th afternoon brings a glassy surprise: a 4 ft S swell (1655) with a very long 16-second period. Excellent conditions for those who know the reef.
Late on Monday the 21st is a smaller clean option with a 4 ft SSE swell (290) and light offshore winds. It’s not a standout, but it’s a fun session if you’re around.
The last few days of the outlook get pretty messy again, with strong cross-onshore winds and lumpy conditions, so forget about it.
The Bottom Line: If you’re an experienced surfer, the morning of Sunday September 13th and Monday September 14th are your absolute best bets. Solid, powerful groundswell with clean winds. The morning of Friday September 18th is another top pick. Everything else is a wait-and-see game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | S 21 | SSW 7 | S 18 | S 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 8 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
953 | 789 | 448 | 277 | 227 | 131 | 69 | 44 | 77 | 611 | 246 | 156 | 96 | 346 | 3358 | 3657 | 2511 | 1390 | 2053 | 572 | 955 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:43PM1.74m | 3:14AM1.61m | 3:41PM1.74m | 4:12AM1.62m | 4:37PM1.75m | 5:08AM1.63m | 5:33PM1.75m | 6:03AM1.67m | 6:25PM1.75m | 6:56AM1.71m | 7:15PM1.74m | 7:45AM1.75m | 8:04PM1.73m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:05PM0.15m | 9:27AM0.13m | 10:02PM0.13m | 10:25AM0.11m | 10:59PM0.13m | 11:19AM0.11m | 11:53PM0.14m | 12:11PM0.13m | 00:45AM0.17m | 1:02PM0.18m | 1:33AM0.22m | 1:52PM0.24m | 2:19AM0.27m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 7 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 5 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ENE 13 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | ENE 12 | S 13 | S 12 |
7 | 789 | 448 | 277 | 227 | 131 | 69 | 44 | 33 | 34 | 238 | 63 | 96 | 346 | 3358 | 3657 | 2511 | 1390 | 13 | 272 | 955 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | NE 16 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 15 | ENE 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 15 | E 8 | E 9 |
21 | 10 | 45 | 57 | 37 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 71 | 5 | 54 | 25 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 16 | — | NE 9 | E 15 | E 15 | NE 4 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | S 21 | NE 7 | S 18 | S 18 | SSW 10 | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | E 12 | E 15 | ENE 8 | E 13 |
5 | — | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 77 | 8 | 246 | 156 | 22 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | S 10 | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | NNW 2 | SSW 7 | — | — | SSW 7 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | S 13 | S 8 | — |
953 | 50 | — | — | — | 2 | 9 | — | 1 | 611 | — | — | 44 | 36 | — | — | — | — | 2053 | 572 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 82 | 93 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 41 | 75 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










