Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, S swell with 11,135 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s 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 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.
Right off the bat, the next few days are a write-off. The onshore wind is just tearing up the surface at Rolling Stones – Saturday the 1st and Monday the 3rd are messy, and Tuesday the 4th is flat-out dangerous with a massive 16ft swell and a cross-onshore breeze. That’s not surf, that’s a washing machine. The combined swell energy is pumping hard at 9900 (strong to very strong), but you wouldn’t want to be out there. Wednesday the 5th is still no good. We’ve got a few days of poor conditions to sit through.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday the 2nd is your first real window. The morning session is the standout: a clean 8ft S swell with a 12-second period, light cross-offshore wind, and the combined energy is a meaty 1885 (moderate to strong). This is a serious wave for experienced surfers only – over 5ft, so beginners, sit this one out. The reef setup will love that longer-period groundswell. There will be lulls between sets, but the shape should be solid.
The absolute gem of the forecast, the one you circle on the calendar, is Friday the 7th. Morning session: glassy conditions, 5ft S swell with a very long 17-second period, and combined energy at 2012. That’s groundswell perfection for a reef like this – long, clean lines and proper power. It’s still over the 5ft mark, so it’s expert territory, but the glassy wind and that period make it the best on offer. Saturday the 8th is also very good, with clean 6ft swell and offshore winds, but the 7th is the one.
The water temperature is sitting at 55°F, which is about two degrees colder than normal for this time of year – a bit nippy, so a thick wetsuit is non-negotiable.
The second week gets quieter. Thursday the 14th has a flash of interest in the afternoon – a 10ft SSW swell with clean cross-offshore wind and excellent conditions for experts – but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it. Sunday the 16th has a tiny 2ft S swell with a very long 18-second period; that’s more of a longboard glide than a proper session. Overall, the first week has the punch, and the second week is mostly small or onshore. Crowds are possible at Rolling Stones, but with the size and the conditions on the standout days, you might get a few others in the water.
Keep the faith – the good windows are there, you just gotta wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat morning, light winds from the NW by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue morning, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 10 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1070 | 1778 | 3139 | 1880 | 1179 | 878 | 627 | 613 | 547 | 1511 | 9900 | 7188 | 4578 | 3397 | 2139 | 1644 | 1124 | 607 | 1326 | 4425 | 2545 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | off |
High Tide | 7:50PM1.58m | 8:14AM1.51m | 8:34PM1.61m | 8:57AM1.55m | 9:19PM1.63m | 9:39AM1.59m | 10:04PM1.65m | 10:22AM1.63m | 10:51PM1.66m | 11:10AM1.67m | 11:41PM1.67m | 12:04PM1.70m | 00:33AM1.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:30PM0.31m | 2:07AM0.29m | 2:15PM0.29m | 2:50AM0.27m | 3:02PM0.29m | 3:34AM0.27m | 3:49PM0.29m | 4:19AM0.27m | 4:38PM0.30m | 5:05AM0.28m | 5:29PM0.31m | 5:54AM0.28m | 6:23PM0.31m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — |
 | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 16 | SE 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 15 | ENE 12 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 16 | S 14 |
| kJ | 118 | 149 | 3139 | 1880 | 1179 | 878 | 627 | 613 | 547 | 1511 | 14 | 7188 | 4578 | 3397 | 2139 | 1644 | 1124 | 607 | 482 | 4425 | 2545 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | E 17 | E 10 | E 16 | SSE 15 | ENE 14 | S 21 | SSW 9 | S 18 | E 12 | — | — | — | — | NE 11 | E 18 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 17 | SE 13 | ENE 14 |
| kJ | 37 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 242 | 21 | 36 | 90 | 99 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | 486 | 88 | 1326 | 190 | 21 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 17 | ENE 17 | E 16 | — | E 15 | — | ENE 13 | S 20 | NE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | E 16 | S 10 | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | 29 | 5 | — | 4 | — | 17 | 69 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 204 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | SW 6 | S 7 | S 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1070 | 1778 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 54 | 298 | 9900 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 65 | 113 | 41 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 84 | 78 | 78 | 96 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 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.
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