
Surf Forecasts:
Rolling Stones surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, S swell with 2,507 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s. 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) 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 1.1m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here with a look at what's on the cards for Rolling Stones. We’re going to ride this wave-by-wave, so strap in.
It’s been a bit of a slow start, but hold tight, because the end of the week is looking like the main event. Right now, through Thursday afternoon, the swell is big and messy. We’re seeing a solid 10ft southerly, but it’s being torn apart by a strong cross-shore wind. The water is sitting at 55°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit. The combined energy is whopping 4204 (very strong wave energy), but it’s just not coming together with any quality. This is one for the experts only, if anyone is game.
Things start to clean up on Friday morning, August 7th. A glassy NW wind of just 3 mph is going to be a game-changer, turning that 4ft southerly swell into something special. The period is a very long 17 seconds, so it’s proper groundswell that will hold up beautifully on this reef. This is the pick of the first week – clean, glassy, and with that deep ocean power. The energy is at 1858 (strong), so don't let the height fool you, there's plenty of grunt.
Saturday morning, August 8th, keeps the good vibes going with glassy conditions again and a solid 7ft southerly swell. The period drops a little to 12 seconds, but the north wind is light and the conditions are clean. It’s a very good look for the reef.
Heading into Sunday and Monday, the swell drops quickly. Sunday morning still offers a clean 4ft with an offshore NNW breeze, but by Monday morning it’s down to a weak 3ft. The energy plummets to 144 (weak), and we’re looking at a long stretch of tiny, poor surf from late Monday through to the following Sunday. The combined energy drops to double digits, a real flat spell.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting again. The following Monday, August 17th, a new SSW swell pushes in, hitting 8ft with a short 7-second period. It’s clean in the morning, but the period is short and the energy is building fast. By Tuesday morning, August 18th, this is where we see the real standout for the whole period. We’ve got a clean 10ft southerly groundswell with an incredible 15-second period. The combined energy is a massive 4773 (very strong wave energy). The wind is a light offshore from the west. This is a serious, powerful swell for experienced surfers only. It’s too big for beginners, and the long period will make it a freight train on this reef.
After that, the onshore winds return from Wednesday onwards, blowing out the 7ft to 8ft swell with rain showers and strong winds. The window closes pretty quickly. That Tuesday session though, that’s the one to circle on your calendar. It’s a promise, but a good one.
So, the real action is the Friday morning glass-off and that massive Tuesday. Don’t bother with the flat middle week. Get it while it’s good.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 4°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 17 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 14 | S 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2280 | 1439 | 849 | 941 | 1860 | 1838 | 1233 | 814 | 543 | 381 | 308 | 418 | 141 | 131 | 90 | 237 | 173 | 112 | 62 | 68 | 73 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 11:10AM1.67m | 11:41PM1.67m | 12:04PM1.70m | 00:33AM1.67m | 1:01PM1.74m | 1:29AM1.67m | 2:00PM1.77m | 2:29AM1.68m | 2:59PM1.81m | 3:29AM1.69m | 3:57PM1.84m | 4:28AM1.70m | 4:56PM1.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:29PM0.31m | 5:54AM0.28m | 6:23PM0.31m | 6:46AM0.27m | 7:22PM0.29m | 7:41AM0.25m | 8:22PM0.24m | 8:41AM0.22m | 9:21PM0.19m | 9:43AM0.16m | 10:20PM0.15m | 10:43AM0.10m | 11:18PM0.11m | ||||||||
7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 9 | 4 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 13 |
Feels °C | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 |
1862 | 1439 | 849 | 680 | 1860 | 1838 | 1233 | 814 | 543 | 381 | 308 | 418 | 141 | 131 | 90 | 237 | 173 | 112 | 62 | 68 | 73 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | NE 17 | SSE 12 | S 17 | SSE 10 | E 14 | ESE 12 | S 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | E 12 | S 17 | NE 5 | SSE 12 | S 17 | SSW 8 | NE 6 | S 12 | NE 10 | ENE 6 |
56 | 12 | 245 | 941 | 370 | 4 | 14 | 161 | 22 | 269 | 304 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 59 | 52 | 20 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 28 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 18 | NE 17 | S 20 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | E 13 | NE 13 | SSW 17 | E 12 | NE 12 | E 12 | S 16 | NE 6 | SSW 17 | S 16 | S 13 | NE 10 | S 12 | SE 13 |
6 | 12 | 30 | 163 | 161 | 24 | 43 | 4 | 7 | 58 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 57 | 45 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | N 3 | NE 3 | NE 4 | NE 5 | — | — | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NW 2 |
2280 | 1164 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 26 | 21 | — | — | 8 | 13 | 54 | 23 | 29 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 78 | 91 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
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.











