Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s happening at Rolling Stones. This is a proper reef set-up for advanced surfers only – it’s fairly consistent, but the crowds can be around sometimes. The water is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you might want an extra layer. The optimum swell direction is from the south, and that’s exactly what’s on the cards for most of the run.

There’s nothing doing right now and for the first few days. Friday and Saturday are a write-off – poor conditions, bumpy, cross-onshore junk. The first real window is on Sunday the 13th. Sunday morning is seeing a solid 8 ft south swell with a 15-second period, but it’s cross-shore with a chop and the combined energy is big at 2424 (moderate-strong energy). It’s marginal at best – it’s going to be full on, big and lumpy, but if you’re an expert with a high tolerance for mess, it’s there. Sunday afternoon is a no-go.

Monday the 14th is the first real standout. That morning we get a 7 ft south swell, still long period at 13 seconds, but the wind swings around to a light cross-shore from the east-northeast (ENE at 3 mph) and conditions go clean. The energy is still strong at 1424, but with light wind and that reef handling a long-period south swell, this will be a quality session. The afternoon is also clean with a cross-offshore breeze.

Tuesday the 15th is nice but smaller – 4 ft south swell with 11-second period, light NNE wind (3 mph) and clean. A fun, non-heroic size but still good shape. Wednesday the 16th is small – 3 ft and offshore from the north, but only 9 seconds period, so it’s a bit weak. Then we hit a dry spell until Saturday the 19th.

Now, Saturday the 19th is the absolute standout of the whole run. Morning shows a 6 ft south swell with 16 seconds and a clean offshore wind from the northwest at 9 mph. The combined energy is 1879 – that’s proper power – and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a classic groundswell on a reef, clean and powerful. Saturday afternoon stays clean with a cross-off breeze and 6 ft at 17 seconds. That whole Saturday is the session to circle.

Sunday the 20th is smaller but clean again – 4 ft south swell with 13 seconds, light cross-off wind. A good recovery day. Monday the 21st is blown out by strong SSW winds. Then Tuesday the 22nd – another big one. Tuesday morning shows a 8 ft south swell with 16 seconds, light cross-off from the northeast at 3 mph. Clean conditions and 2829 energy (very strong). That is for experts only, but it will be a proper beast. The afternoon drops to 6 ft and still clean.

After that, the quality drops off again. Wednesday the 23rd is chopped, and Thursday the 24th is tiny. Friday the 25th sees a 7 ft short-period (8 seconds) south pulse but with moderate cross-off wind – it will be lumpy and weaker. Saturday the 26th is interesting: a 2 ft south swell at 17 seconds with offshore NNW wind at 12 mph, giving 321 energy – a clean little wave but small.

Best bets: Monday the 14th morning, Saturday the 19th (the real hero), and Tuesday the 22nd morning for the big stuff. That Saturday is the one I’d be waking up early for.

Rusty

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