Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, S swell with 2,155 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 14s 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 2.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) 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 1.4m 7s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for the next couple of weeks.
Alright, so we’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s a real gem on the horizon. The first few days look like a bit of a write-off, with small, weak swell and not much energy. From Wednesday the 2nd, we see a pulse of 8ft S swell at Rolling Stones, but it’s coming with a cross-shore wind and the wave comment says it’s marginal. The water is sitting at 55°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year.
The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is going to be Thursday morning the 3rd. That’s your window. We’ve got a clean 6ft S swell with a classic 13-second period, making for some proper groundswell. The wind is NNW at 9 mph, coming clean off the land, so you’re looking at some really nice, lined-up waves. The combined energy is pumping at 1077, which is strong. For an advanced reef break like Rolling Stones, that’s the call. The afternoon of the 3rd will still be fun with a 5ft S swell and glassy conditions from a light NNW breeze.
After that, it’s a long, slow fade. Friday the 4th drops off quickly, and from Saturday the 5th through to Tuesday the 10th, it’s mostly small, weak, and ordinary. A few morning sessions might be surfable, but nothing to write home about. There’s a bit of a bump on Wednesday the 9th with a 6ft S swell, but it’s paired with a less-than-ideal wind direction, so it’s more of a maybe.
The second week picks up a bit, but it’s a messy story. The 11th and 12th of September see some bigger swell (10ft and 8ft), but the wind is all over the place – onshore and cross-onshore – so it’s going to be lumpy and poor. The 13th has a 7ft S swell with a light NW offshore wind in the morning, which could be decent for experts, but it’s not the clean, classic setup of the 3rd.
Then, a true sleeper to watch: Thursday morning the 17th of September. It’s a long way out, so treat it with caution, but the forecast is showing a glassy, zero-wind morning with a 2ft S swell. That’s tiny, I know, but with a 16-second period, that’s some serious long-period groundswell energy. For a reef like Rolling Stones, that could be the most perfect, clean, long-lining session you’ll see, even if the waves are small. The combined energy is 406, which is moderate. If the forecast holds, it’s a gem for the longboard or a fish.
So, to put it simply: don’t waste your time this weekend. The absolute best is Thursday morning the 3rd of September at Rolling Stones. If you’re patient, keep an eye on the 17th of September for a potential glassy jewel.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 11 | SSW 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
4137 | 2155 | 1077 | 613 | 268 | 146 | 72 | 29 | 81 | 77 | 37 | 106 | 101 | 97 | 22 | 586 | 986 | 474 | 340 | 572 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:40PM1.69m | 9:59AM1.73m | 10:30PM1.68m | 10:50AM1.74m | 11:22PM1.67m | 11:46AM1.74m | 00:17AM1.65m | 12:46PM1.73m | 1:15AM1.63m | 1:45PM1.73m | 2:15AM1.61m | 2:43PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:28PM0.25m | 3:52AM0.23m | 4:20PM0.25m | 4:42AM0.24m | 5:13PM0.25m | 5:34AM0.23m | 6:09PM0.23m | 6:29AM0.21m | 7:08PM0.21m | 7:26AM0.19m | 8:07PM0.18m | 8:26AM0.16m | 9:05PM0.15m | |||||||
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 16 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 10 |
Feels °C | 13 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | NE 5 | SSW 10 | S 9 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | NE 6 |
4137 | 2155 | 1077 | 613 | 268 | 146 | 72 | 29 | 81 | 77 | 25 | 106 | 40 | 89 | 13 | 1 | 986 | 474 | 340 | 7 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | S 15 | S 15 | S 8 | ENE 4 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 11 | E 9 | NE 9 | E 16 | NE 5 | E 15 |
13 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 17 | 37 | 2 | 101 | 97 | 22 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 14 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ENE 10 | S 20 | S 18 | S 16 | E 10 | E 10 | S 14 | S 18 | S 9 | SSW 10 | S 16 | NE 10 | — | E 10 | E 16 | NE 18 |
— | — | — | — | 10 | 8 | 24 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 27 | 2 | 19 | 21 | 4 | — | 2 | 5 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 4 | SW 4 | NW 3 | — | — | NW 3 | NNE 2 | NE 7 | WNW 2 | SSW 7 | — | NNE 3 | — | SSW 9 |
— | — | 6 | — | 2 | 9 | 15 | 22 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 211 | 1 | 586 | — | 4 | — | 572 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 33 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 113 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 7 |
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.











