Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 19 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, S swell with 4,525 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s break it down.
The first few days are pretty flat and messy. Wednesday the 16th is a washout with small, junky waves and cross-shore winds. Thursday the 17th is cleaner with a light offshore, but it’s still marginal – just a few waist-high lumps.
Friday the 18th is the first real sign of life. The swell picks up to about chest-high with a longer 12-second interval and a light cross-offshore breeze. It’s clean, and the energy is moderate – not huge, but enough for a fun session.
Saturday the 19th is a step back. A bigger southwest swell (up to 2.5m) rolls in, but it’s short-period and lumpy with fresh crosswinds. The afternoon looks a bit softer, but it’s still messy.
Sunday the 20th is a mess. Rain, strong cross-onshore winds, and a big, raw 3.0m swell. That’s a lot of water moving, but it’s not organized. Stay out of the water unless you’re a glutton for punishment.
Monday the 21st is for experts only. Big waves – up to 4.0m – but the period is short and the wind is all wrong. It’s going to be a churning, lumpy ocean.
The middle of the week (22nd-24th) is mostly small and onshore. A few clean windows in the mornings, but nothing to get excited about.
Now, the standout is the 29th. Monday morning brings a solid 1.8m south swell with a nice 12-second period and a steady offshore breeze. This is the cleanest, most powerful surf of the whole period. The afternoon holds up well too with 1.7m. That’s the day to call in sick.
After that, the swell fades away. The end of the run is small and weak, with onshore winds and no energy.
So there you have it – a few good moments, but the 29th is the clear winner. Make it count.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Wed night, fresh winds from the SSW by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sun morning, calm by Tue morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 8 | S 16 | SSW 14 | WSW 12 | SSW 8 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 99 | 224 | 138 | 122 | 110 | 281 | 224 | 193 | 821 | 432 | 336 | 365 | 1446 | 2990 | 4426 | 2932 | 755 | 185 | 186 | 348 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:39PM1.68m | 9:58AM1.72m | 10:25PM1.64m | 10:45AM1.66m | 11:11PM1.59m | 11:34AM1.60m | 11:55PM1.52m | 12:25PM1.54m | 00:41AM1.44m | 1:14PM1.49m | 1:29AM1.38m | 2:00PM1.46m | 2:18AM1.35m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:31PM0.34m | 3:51AM0.39m | 4:19PM0.39m | 4:38AM0.42m | 5:05PM0.42m | 5:24AM0.45m | 5:53PM0.44m | 6:09AM0.46m | 6:41PM0.45m | 6:53AM0.45m | 7:29PM0.44m | 7:39AM0.44m | 8:15PM0.41m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 16 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 14 | 10 |
Feels °C | 13 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 15 | 10 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ENE 8 | SE 12 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | SSW 20 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 8 | SE 12 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 99 | 224 | 138 | 122 | 110 | 281 | 224 | 95 | 158 | 328 | 120 | 75 | 42 | 38 | 132 | 2184 | 755 | 185 | 23 | 35 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SSW 8 | S 8 | SSW 15 | SE 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SE 12 | ENE 8 | S 16 | SSW 14 | SSE 7 | NE 7 | — | ESE 10 | S 18 | S 16 | SSW 9 | SE 10 | S 18 |
| kJ | 53 | 14 | 5 | 23 | 97 | 21 | 53 | 193 | 35 | 432 | 336 | 18 | 2 | — | 20 | 57 | 48 | 119 | 4 | 54 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | NE 3 | S 14 | — | SSW 13 | S 18 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | NE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 19 | E 12 |
| kJ | 25 | 1 | 16 | — | 17 | 6 | 9 | 89 | 35 | 116 | 116 | 11 | 5 | — | — | — | 7 | 27 | 7 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 3 | — | NE 4 | NE 6 | NE 7 | SW 5 | SSW 8 | — | WNW 3 | WSW 12 | SSW 8 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | — | NW 3 | S 8 | S 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | 10 | 15 | 118 | 71 | 821 | — | 3 | 365 | 1446 | 2990 | 4426 | 2932 | — | 1 | 186 | 348 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 82 | 4 | 33 | 41 | 131 | 113 | 78 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 41 |
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.
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