Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Rolling Stones.

First up, the water is sitting at 54°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – so you’ll want a decent wetsuit, no question.

Right now, there’s a bit of a slow start. Thursday morning (27th August) we’ve got a 5ft south swell at a very long 18 seconds, but the wind is cross-on and the energy is pumping (1410), yet the conditions are just marginal. It’s not really worth paddling out for. That energy stays high through Thursday afternoon (1929) but the swell is cross and still just marginal. Friday morning (28th) sees the swell drop to 5ft, period down to 13 seconds, and the wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but the energy (915) is moderate and the surf is still only marginal. Friday afternoon gets smaller (4ft, 551 energy) and stays clean but still marginal.

Saturday morning (29th) is where things start to look a bit more interesting. The swell drops to 3ft from the south, period 12 seconds, and the wind is offshore from the north – clean as a whistle. Energy is down at 270 (moderate), but the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s a small but clean wave for the patient ones. It stays clean through the afternoon but the energy drops further (247).

Sunday (30th) is small – 2ft – and the morning is clean with a light cross-off, but the energy is weak (117). Not much to write home about. The afternoon turns cross-shore and choppy.

Monday (31st) sees a big jump: morning swell hits 8ft from the SSW, period 9 seconds – that’s a short period, so it’ll be a bit crumbly, but the energy is strong (2022). The wind is cross-off and clean, but it’s marginal surf. The afternoon gets bigger – 10ft south at 13 seconds, energy 2571 – but the wind goes cross-shore with some chop. This is getting into expert territory, especially if you’re not comfortable in overhead waves.

Tuesday (1st September) morning is still solid: 8ft south at 15 seconds, energy 2753, but the wind is cross-on and choppy. Afternoon jumps to 12ft south, 14 seconds, energy a massive 4320 – that’s serious power. The wind is light cross-on, so it’s not glassy, but for a big wave charger, that’s the standout of the whole run. The forecast says this is the best call. If you’re an advanced surfer, this is the session to aim for, but be aware of the crowds (sometimes) and the very long period groundswell – it’s going to be a bit heaving at a reef setup like Rolling Stones, so it’s not for the faint-hearted.

The swell eases through Wednesday (2nd) – 6ft south, period 12 seconds, energy 1085, clean cross-off wind – but still only marginal. Thursday (3rd) is small and clean but poor. Friday (4th) onward is tiny, with energy dropping to double digits for most of the second week. There’s a little spike on Sunday (6th September) morning with 2ft south at 15 seconds, energy 274, offshore wind, and “expect good surf conditions” – but it’s a small groundswell, so it’ll be clean and long period, but not much push.

The rest of the run through to 11th September is mostly small, clean, but weak. Not worth getting excited about.

So, the standout is clear: Tuesday 1st September afternoon. 12ft south swell, long period, massive energy, and a light cross-on breeze. It’s the biggest, most powerful swell of the window, and if you’re expert-level, that’s your moment. The water will still be cold, so don’t forget your rubber.

Rusty.

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