
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, S swell with 2,096 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rolling Stones in the next 16 days are 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
Hey, Rusty here, got the lowdown on Rolling Stones for the next couple weeks.
First few days are a real snoozer. Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th have tiny ankle-to-knee slop from the south, barely any energy, and the wind is okay but there’s nothing to ride. Not worth wettin’ a suit.
Then we go dead from Wednesday the 15th through Thursday morning the 16th – real flat, weak energy (50 to 68). Stay home.
Thursday afternoon the 16th we get a little bump: 3ft of SE swell, 17-second period, energy picks up (463). Wind is clean cross-off, so a few waves are possible, but not the main event.
The real standout is Friday the 17th. Morning has 5ft of SE groundswell, 16-second period, and the energy jumps to 1204. Wind is light cross-off, clean. Then Friday afternoon goes glassy with the same 5ft SE swell, 16-second period, and energy hits 2224. That’s a serious wall of water. For experienced surfers only – this is the best of the run. Long, clean, powerful lines on the reef.
Saturday the 18th is a mess – cross-shore wind, lumpy, and by afternoon it’s onshore with rain. Skip it.
Sunday the 19th is another cracker. Morning has 4ft of S swell, but the period is a massive 21 seconds – that’s very long-period groundswell. Energy is 1612. The wind is offshore and light. The reef will stretch those waves out into proper, long rides. Afternoon goes glassy, 4ft at 18 seconds, energy 1342. Another beauty.
Monday the 20th morning is glassy, 5ft S swell at 19 seconds, energy 2191. Perfect, clean, powerful waves. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so get out early.
From Tuesday the 21st onward, the swell drops and the wind gets messy. The energy holds through the middle of the week, but the wind is never as clean. By Thursday the 23rd, it’s onshore and ugly. The window closes on Saturday the 25th with a bit of a clean-up, but it’s not the same.
Water temp is about normal for the season.
So, for the experienced crew, lock in Friday the 17th afternoon, Sunday the 19th, and Monday the 20th morning. That’s the cream of the crop. The rest is either too small or too windy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the S by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sun 19 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SE 9 | S 10 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | SE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | S 13 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | S 21 | S 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
216 | 135 | 122 | 166 | 73 | 45 | 20 | 48 | 47 | 96 | 193 | 439 | 767 | 1149 | 1284 | 1298 | 924 | 726 | 570 | 1015 | 911 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | off | glassy |
High Tide | 3:46AM1.75m | 4:14PM1.90m | 4:46AM1.78m | 5:14PM1.94m | 5:45AM1.79m | 6:14PM1.96m | 6:44AM1.79m | 7:11PM1.96m | 7:42AM1.78m | 8:06PM1.93m | 8:36AM1.77m | 8:58PM1.88m | 9:27AM1.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:39PM0.25m | 10:00AM0.22m | 10:38PM0.19m | 11:01AM0.15m | 11:37PM0.13m | 11:59AM0.08m | 00:36AM0.09m | 12:53PM0.04m | 1:34AM0.06m | 1:47PM0.03m | 2:28AM0.06m | 2:42PM0.06m | 3:21AM0.09m | 3:36PM0.13m | |||||||
— | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | |
— | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 13 |
Feels °C | 5 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 10 | S 13 | ESE 8 | NE 5 | NE 4 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | SE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | S 13 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | S 21 | S 18 |
203 | 120 | 122 | 166 | 46 | 17 | 3 | 48 | 47 | 96 | 193 | 439 | 767 | 1149 | 1284 | 1298 | 924 | 726 | 570 | 1015 | 911 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 10 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | S 12 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | NE 4 | S 16 | S 19 | S 18 | S 17 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | S 16 | SE 15 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SE 13 | SE 13 |
216 | 135 | 79 | 49 | 73 | 17 | 20 | 1 | 21 | 30 | 24 | 24 | 12 | 7 | 940 | 1062 | 410 | 273 | 171 | 437 | 320 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | E 15 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | S 9 | NE 4 | S 15 | S 14 | — | S 16 | SSW 16 | — | — | S 20 | S 24 | S 21 | SSW 10 | S 10 |
3 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 45 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 4 | — | 20 | 48 | — | — | 7 | 11 | 428 | 160 | 68 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 5 |
— | — | — | 6 | 14 | 38 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 43 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 162 | 4 | 0 | 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.











