Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 11 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
13.2° C
1.0° 

Rolling Stones surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Rolling Stones surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, S swell with 7,159 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 13s 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 (Jul 12) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rolling Stones in the next 16 days are 3.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sun 12th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 13s
Best Surf 6PM (Fri 17th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 15s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sat 18th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 19s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rolling Stones over the next 16 days.


G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve got a good look at what’s coming up for Rolling Stones. This is a reef break that handles a south swell best, and it’s fairly consistent. The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, so nothing wild there.

We start off with a bit of a nothing run. From Sunday 12 July through to Thursday 16 July, we’ve got small, weak swell hanging around. The combined energy is low, mostly under 300 (255 to 617 in the better moments), and the wave heights are under 3 ft. The wind is mostly light and cross or off, but it’s just not enough to get excited about. Monday morning 13 July offers a bit of clean 3 ft south swell with a light north offshore, but it’s ordinary. Thursday 16 July morning bumps up to 2 ft from the ESE with a 14-second period, but still nothing to paddle out for.

Then things get interesting. Friday 17 July morning brings a solid jump – 5 ft of SE swell at 15 seconds, with a light north offshore. The combined energy is 1204, which is moderate. Conditions are clean, and the afternoon goes glassy with the same size. That’s a standout morning: clean, good energy, and the swell direction matches the optimum. This is the best on offer in the first week. Crowds are *sometimes* an issue here, so you might have a few others out, but it’s worth it.

Saturday 18 July morning holds 5 ft of SE swell with a 14-second period, but the wind picks up to 12 mph from the WNW, cross-off. It’s still clean, but the afternoon gets sloppy with strong south wind and 7 ft south swell at 20 seconds – that’s a lot of energy (5409) but the wind is cross-on and lumpy, so it’s a write-off. Sunday 19 July is also messy with strong cross-on wind and 7 ft to 6 ft south swell.

Monday 20 July morning brings a change: 8 ft of ESE swell with an 8-second period, light west cross-off wind, and combined energy of 1271. The period is short, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but it’s clean and punchy. The afternoon gets cross-shore, so morning is the call.

Now, for the second week, from Tuesday 21 July onward, the swell gets big. Really big. Tuesday morning has 15 ft of ESE swell at 10 seconds, with a light north offshore and clean conditions. The combined energy is 4381 – that’s strong. This is for experienced surfers only; 15 ft is over 8 ft, so it’s expert territory. Tuesday afternoon sees 20 ft of ESE swell at 12 seconds, with a cross-off wind, but it’s forecast to be too big for the break. Wednesday 22 July stays big at 13 ft ESE with a 12-second period and offshore NW wind, clean and powerful. The energy is 4718, still strong. Wednesday 24 July morning has 12 ft from the east at 12 seconds, with a light west-northwest cross-off and clean conditions (4033 energy). The afternoon goes glassy with the same size – that’s a standout if you’re an expert. The swell direction is east, which is a bit off the optimum south, but the quality and conditions are excellent.

Saturday 25 July and Sunday 26 July keep the big swell running: 15 ft to 10 ft from the east and ESE, with periods of 12 seconds, and mostly clean or glassy conditions. The energy stays strong (2925 to 5320). This is a solid run for experienced surfers who know the reef. Monday 27 July morning has 13 ft of ESE swell at 13 seconds, with a light north-northeast cross-off and clean conditions (4650 energy).

So, for the whole period, the standout is Friday 17 July morning – that’s the window for the best mix of size, conditions, and manageable energy. The later week from 21 July is for the big dogs only, with excellent conditions but heavy swell. If you’re not an expert, be careful out there.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Sat
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
3
3
3
3
3
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
S
16
0.9
S
15
0.8
S
13
0.9
S
12
0.9
SE
9
0.8
S
10
0.7
S
13
0.5
S
12
0.4
SSW
12
0.3
ESE
10
0.4
ESE
11
0.4
ESE
11
0.5
ESE
13
0.7
ESE
14
0.5
SE
18
1.3
SE
16
1.6
SE
15
1.6
SE
15
1.7
SE
15
1.6
SE
14
2.2
S
20
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
338
343
222
216
135
122
166
73
45
20
48
49
98
186
154
865
1120
1171
1212
1048
3751
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
10
WSW
10
SSW
10
N
15
NNW
10
NNE
15
N
15
N
10
NW
10
NNW
10
NW
0
NW
10
NW
10
WNW
15
S
5
WNW
10
N
0
WSW
20
NW
20
WNW
35
SSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
2:46AM1.73m
3:16PM1.84m
3:46AM1.75m
4:14PM1.90m
4:46AM1.78m
5:14PM1.94m
5:45AM1.79m
6:14PM1.96m
6:44AM1.79m
7:11PM1.96m
7:42AM1.78m
8:06PM1.93m
8:36AM1.77m
Low Tide
8:58AM0.26m
9:39PM0.25m
10:00AM0.22m
10:38PM0.19m
11:01AM0.15m
11:37PM0.13m
11:59AM0.08m
00:36AM0.09m
12:53PM0.04m
1:34AM0.06m
1:47PM0.03m
2:28AM0.06m
2:42PM0.06m
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:01
5:02
5:04
5:04
5:05
5:06
5:07
 mm
2
1
8
Temp °C
10
10
10
9
13
15
12
15
16
12
16
17
14
15
14
11
12
13
13
13
8
Feels °C
6
7
8
7
10
12
9
12
14
9
14
16
11
13
12
10
10
12
8
8
1
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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