Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 12 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.3° C
1.6° 

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 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 13,547 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period with SE 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. 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 6.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Thu 13th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 8s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 19th Aug)20ft (6.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 6AM (Wed 19th Aug)20ft (6.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the Rollin’ Stones for the next couple weeks.

We’re starting off with water temps around 54°F, which is a bit cooler than usual for this time of year. Nothing major, but worth a hood if you’ve got one.

The whole thing kicks off Wednesday, August 12th, with a 5ft SSE swell, but it’s a short 8-second period, weak energy at 259, and cross-offshore wind making it a mess. Thursday and Friday are just as bad—tiny, messy, or glassy and flat. Friday morning, August 14th, sees a 2ft swell with glassy wind, but it’s too small to surf.

Saturday, August 15th, we get a 6ft E swell (energy 426) with a light cross-offshore wind. The report says “expect good surf conditions,” so that’s the first real chance to get wet, but it’s not a standout.

Then, from Sunday, August 16th, through Wednesday, August 19th, it’s pure chaos. Sunday morning hits 13ft from the S with a strong cross-onshore wind at 25 mph, and energy rockets to 2255. By Wednesday, the swell peaks at 16ft with a 14-second period and energy at 19522, but it’s all cross-onshore and blown-out. This is kite-surfing territory, not for paddle boarders.

The big winner is Thursday, August 20th. Morning brings a 10ft S groundswell (12-second period, energy 2407) with a light cross-offshore wind from the W. The forecast calls it “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s over 8ft, so experts only, but the wind is clean, the swell direction is spot-on for the Stones, and the energy is pumping. Crowds are possible, but on a Thursday morning, it’s manageable.

Friday, August 21st, is a solid runner-up. A 6ft S swell (11 seconds, energy 759) with a light cross-offshore wind. It’s smaller, so strong intermediates can get in on it, and the waves should be well-shaped.

After that, it fades fast. From Saturday, August 22nd, onward, swells drop to 5ft or smaller, with mixed winds and marginal conditions. The last week of the window can’t get above 3ft, and energy stays under 3000. Even the 16-second period swells on the 23rd and 25th don’t have enough size to matter.

Best bet: Thursday, August 20th, at Rolling Stones—big, clean, for experts only. Friday the 21st is a good backup. Everything else is either a stormy mess or flat. Keep your eyes on the 20th.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sat morning, strong winds from the SSW by Sat night).

Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SSE
8
1.4
SE
10
1.2
SE
9
1
SE
9
0.8
SE
8
0.8
SE
8
0.6
SE
8
1
ESE
7
1.4
E
7
1.7
E
8
1.6
E
8
0.9
SSW
16
4
S
9
4
S
10
4
S
10
3.5
S
9
3
S
10
3
S
10
3.5
S
10
3.5
S
10
4
S
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
245
416
242
155
97
78
51
96
210
381
298
402
2202
2823
2806
2033
1532
1780
2362
2668
4696
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
20
NE
20
NNE
15
NNE
15
NNE
25
NE
5
W
10
E
10
ENE
10
W
10
WSW
25
SSW
40
SSW
40
SSW
40
SSW
35
SW
30
SW
25
SW
25
SW
30
SSW
35
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
4:56PM1.86m
5:26AM1.71m
5:54PM1.87m
6:24AM1.72m
6:49PM1.87m
7:19AM1.73m
7:41PM1.84m
8:11AM1.75m
8:31PM1.81m
9:00AM1.76m
9:21PM1.76m
9:46AM1.75m
10:10PM1.71m
Low Tide
10:43AM0.10m
11:18PM0.11m
11:39AM0.06m
00:16AM0.09m
12:32PM0.05m
1:11AM0.09m
1:24PM0.08m
2:02AM0.11m
2:17PM0.13m
2:51AM0.16m
3:09PM0.20m
3:39AM0.22m
4:01PM0.28m
cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
6:58
6:56
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:28
5:29
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
 mm
1
1
1
2
3
3
4
3
5
2
Temp °C
11
12
10
11
12
13
13
14
13
14
13
12
10
8
8
8
11
10
11
12
11
Feels °C
8
8
6
8
9
10
13
14
12
13
12
9
2
-1
-1
1
5
3
5
6
4
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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