Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.8° C
1.3° 

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 20 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, S swell with 4,586 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 21st Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 16s
Best Surf 9AM (Tue 21st Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 16s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 21st Jul)8ft (2.5m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the only spot that’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks – Rolling Stones. It’s a seasoned reef-break for the advanced crew, and it’s got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way.

The water is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. The week kicks off with a solid pulse of swell. Monday afternoon (20th July) is a write-off – we’ve got a 8ft south swell running, but the cross-onshore wind is ruining it, making for a choppy, messy surface. The combined energy is strong (4093), but it’s not clean.

Everything changes on Tuesday morning (21st July). The swell holds at 8ft from the south, and the wind swings light westerly, going cross-offshore. The water will be clean. That’s a big tick. The period is a very long 16 seconds, which is proper groundswell. This thing will have heaps of energy and long lulls between sets. Tuesday afternoon gets even better – the wind drops to a glassy 3 mph from the southeast, the swell drops a touch to 7ft, but it’s still a long 15-second period. This will be clean, lined-up, and powerful. It’s a standout window for the experienced surfer.

Wednesday (22nd July) stays clean with light winds, but the swell drops to 4ft in the morning and 4ft in the afternoon. The combined energy is moderate (529 and 371). It’s still surfable and nice, but not the same punch as Tuesday. Thursday (23rd July) sees the swell drop further to 3ft and 2ft, with clean but weak conditions. It’s a fade-out.

Then we hit a gap. From Friday (24th July) through to the end of the month, the surf is poor or marginal. On Friday the 24th, the swell is tiny (1ft and 1.0ft). Saturday the 25th brings a messy 8ft and 7ft swell from the southwest, but the wind is howling at 15-25 mph, creating a cross-chop. Sunday the 26th is a bit cleaner but still rough. The energy is moderate to strong, but the quality is gone.

The next standout is Monday afternoon (27th July). A new swell from the ESE arrives at 7ft with a 13-second period. The wind is light WNW, cross-offshore, and the combined energy is strong (1841). The forecast says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is a strong call for the end of the first week. Tuesday (28th July) is still decent but drops off a little.

The second week is more of a mixed bag. Wednesday and Thursday (29th and 30th July) have clean, cross-offshore winds and 4ft to 4ft ESE swell. It’s consistent and clean, but not huge. Friday (31st July) is similar, with moderate winds keeping it clean. The best look in the second week is actually Tuesday morning, 4th August – a morning with 5ft south swell, a long 15-second period, and a gentle offshore wind from the north. The combined energy is strong (1141), and the forecast is for very good conditions. That’s the one to circle on the calendar, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.

The last few days of the forecast (2nd and 3rd August) are a mess – a massive 16ft south-west swell with strong onshore winds and rain. That’s for the really brave or the kite surfers, not for a clean paddle session.

So, to wrap it up: the best windows are Tuesday morning and afternoon (21st July) and Monday afternoon (27th July). The second week is quieter, with the 4th of August looking promising but uncertain. The rest is a bit of a wait-and-see game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Thu afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Sat morning).

Mon
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
4
4
3
2
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
S
19
2.5
S
18
2.3
S
16
2
S
15
1.6
S
13
1.3
S
12
1.1
S
12
1.1
S
13
0.8
S
13
0.5
S
12
0.4
SSW
10
0.4
S
10
0.3
SSW
9
0.3
SE
11
2.3
SW
6
2.2
SSW
9
1.3
S
8
2.3
SSW
6
3
SSW
8
1.2
ESE
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3752
4586
2609
1699
905
501
342
395
202
73
34
30
16
19
401
708
234
393
1162
465
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
10
SSW
10
WSW
5
SE
10
NNW
5
W
5
SE
5
NW
10
N
15
NE
15
NNW
15
N
20
N
20
NNW
30
WSW
45
WSW
10
NNW
15
W
30
SW
35
S
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross
cross
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
10:42PM1.74m
11:07AM1.68m
11:33PM1.68m
11:59AM1.65m
00:24AM1.62m
12:54PM1.62m
1:14AM1.58m
1:46PM1.61m
2:03AM1.55m
2:36PM1.59m
2:51AM1.51m
3:22PM1.58m
Low Tide
4:30PM0.21m
5:02AM0.20m
5:23PM0.29m
5:51AM0.28m
6:15PM0.36m
6:39AM0.36m
7:08PM0.42m
7:27AM0.42m
8:00PM0.47m
8:15AM0.47m
8:50PM0.50m
9:04AM0.48m
9:37PM0.50m
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:18
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:08
5:09
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:13
 mm
1
1
3
1
13
Temp °C
10
10
10
11
8
10
11
9
12
14
11
14
15
13
11
10
12
12
12
10
Feels °C
6
6
8
9
5
8
9
7
9
11
7
10
11
9
2
1
8
5
6
5
  • Map Icons:
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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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