
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 21s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 19s period, S swell with 3,601 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period with ESE 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 (Jul 16) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 17s. 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 2.2m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) 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 0.3m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 19s |
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 heading our way for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a real mixed bag coming up at Rolling Stones. The good news is there’s plenty of swell on the horizon, but you’re gonna have to time it right to get the best of it without the wind messing it up. The water's sitting at 55° which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget the thick rubber.
The window starts on Thursday the 16th. It’s nothing to write home about, just small, surfable waves with a weak cross-off breeze. The real action starts to fire up on Friday the 17th. That morning is a standout. We’ve got a clean 5ft groundswell from the SE, and the wind is totally glassy, light offshore from the NW. The energy is kicking with a moderate 1419. This is a session for the experienced crew, as the swell is solid and the conditions are pristine. Friday afternoon stays good but gets a little cross-on, so the morning is the call.
Saturday the 18th is another cracker. The morning starts clean with a 5ft SE swell and a light offshore breeze. The afternoon though, that’s pure magic. The wind drops to glassy, and we get a 4ft south swell with a very long period of 24 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and the energy is up there at 2339. Those long-period SW swells tend to wrap in nicely around the reef here, so expect some proper lines, although the sets will be spaced out. It’s an excellent session for those who know what they’re doing.
Sunday the 19th has size, with 6ft to 6ft from the south, but the wind turns cross-shore and the conditions get messy. Thursday the 22nd offers a clean morning with 6ft from the south and a light offshore, but it’s not quite the quality of the weekend.
After that, the forecast gets a bit patchy. There’s a big drop-off in swell from the 23rd to the 25th, with very small, weak waves. The energy drops to under 100, and it’s not really worth paddling out unless you’re desperate. The wind does get clean again, but there’s nothing to push you around.
Then on Sunday the 26th, we see a pulse of 6ft south swell come back, but it’s held up by a strong cross-on wind that’s gonna make it choppy. The end of the month into the 31st sees a small, clean SE swell build, but it’s inconsistent and nothing to travel for.
Honestly, the standout is the Friday morning 17th, with that glassy 5ft SE groundswell. The Saturday afternoon 18th is a close second for the glassy, long-period, clean lines. Everything else is a matter of dodging the wind or waiting for the next pulse.
Stay frosty,
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | ESE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 24 | S 20 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
196 | 516 | 976 | 1333 | 1366 | 1171 | 899 | 1332 | 3467 | 2319 | 1837 | 1241 | 1147 | 1179 | 2019 | 2199 | 3264 | 1571 | 1147 | 784 | 504 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 7:11PM1.96m | 7:42AM1.78m | 8:06PM1.93m | 8:36AM1.77m | 8:58PM1.88m | 9:27AM1.75m | 9:50PM1.81m | 10:17AM1.72m | 10:42PM1.74m | 11:07AM1.68m | 11:33PM1.68m | 11:59AM1.65m | 00:24AM1.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:53PM0.04m | 1:34AM0.06m | 1:47PM0.03m | 2:28AM0.06m | 2:42PM0.06m | 3:21AM0.09m | 3:36PM0.13m | 4:12AM0.14m | 4:30PM0.21m | 5:02AM0.20m | 5:23PM0.29m | 5:51AM0.28m | 6:15PM0.36m | ||||||||
7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 20 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
196 | 516 | 976 | 1333 | 1366 | 1171 | 899 | 776 | 3467 | 2319 | 1837 | 1241 | 1147 | 1179 | 2019 | 2199 | 3264 | 1571 | 1147 | 784 | 504 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | NE 10 | S 16 | S 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 24 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | ESE 6 |
24 | 4 | 20 | 39 | 230 | 290 | 389 | 1332 | 577 | 437 | 363 | 244 | 169 | 164 | 104 | 97 | 60 | 177 | 54 | 34 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | NE 10 | — | SSW 16 | S 18 | S 15 | S 19 | S 11 | S 10 | — | — | S 20 | — | — | ESE 11 | — | — | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 12 |
4 | 4 | — | 47 | 173 | 272 | 30 | 231 | 120 | — | — | 67 | — | — | 148 | — | — | 55 | 29 | 29 | 36 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | SW 17 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | S 7 | — | — | — | — |
1 | 47 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 306 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 75 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.










