Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 12 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 12 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 20s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, S swell with 6,016 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Mon 13th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Best Surf 6AM (Sun 19th Jul)8ft (2.4m) 20s
Most Powerful 9AM (Sun 19th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 19s

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


Alright mates, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks.

It’s a slow start, but there’s a big payoff coming. The early days are flat or tiny, but the middle of next week and the following weekend are where the real action is. The standout window is clearly Friday 17th July through to Tuesday 21st July. After that, the wind turns nasty and the swell gets too big and messy.

Rolling Stones is the only spot we’re tracking. It’s an advanced reef break, fairly consistent, and can get crowded sometimes. Water temp is about 56°F, which is a couple of degrees colder than average, so grab a thicker suit. The sweet spot for swell direction is from the south, and that’s what we’re getting.

Sunday 12th is a bust – tiny and cross-on. Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th are clean but tiny, with waves around 2ft to 3ft. Not worth the drive. Wednesday 15th is glassy but still flat. Thursday 16th shows a little more life with a 3ft southeast swell, but the wind gets onshore in the afternoon.

Now for the good stuff. Friday 17th July is the first standout. Morning brings 5ft of southeast swell at 15 seconds with a light offshore breeze. The energy is strong (1274), and it’s clean. The afternoon is even better: 6ft, glassy, with energy at 1523. That’s excellent surf for experienced surfers. Saturday 18th morning is still solid at 5ft, but the wind is cross-shore, making it a bit choppy. The afternoon is a write-off with 25 mph southerly winds and rain.

Sunday 19th July is the peak. Morning has 10ft of south swell at 19 seconds with a light offshore breeze. The energy is massive (6341). This is serious, powerful groundswell for experts only. The afternoon drops to 8ft but is still world-class. Monday 20th remains excellent with 5ft of south swell in the morning, clean and strong (1907). Tuesday 21st is glassy all day, with 7ft of south swell and pumping energy (2646). This is a golden run of clean, powerful waves.

Then Wednesday 22nd through Saturday 25th is a total mess. The swell gets huge – up to 20ft – but is accompanied by strong onshore and cross-onshore winds from the southeast. It’s a washing machine. This setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Sunday 27th July shows a glimmer of hope with a clean 8ft southeast swell and a light offshore breeze, but it’s a long way out.

So, the call is clear: Friday 17th July through Tuesday 21st July at Rolling Stones is the window. The 17th afternoon and the 19th are the absolute best. Get out there.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
3
4
4
3
0
3
5
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
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
15
0.9
ESE
17
1.4
SE
16
1.6
SE
15
1.8
SE
15
1.8
SE
15
1.6
SE
15
1.5
SE
14
2.2
S
21
3
S
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
222
216
135
122
166
73
45
20
48
49
96
193
528
952
1235
1455
1343
1155
899
4075
6016
Wind (km/h)
10
S
10
N
10
NNW
10
NNE
15
N
15
N
10
NW
15
NNW
10
NW
0
SSE
10
WNW
10
WNW
10
SSE
5
SW
5
N
0
E
15
NW
10
WSW
40
S
15
SE
10
NE
Wind State
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
off
cross
on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
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
8:58PM1.88m
9:27AM1.75m
Low Tide
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
3:21AM0.09m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
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
5:07
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
10
8
13
15
12
15
17
13
16
17
15
16
15
13
13
14
11
12
10
9
11
Feels °C
8
5
10
12
9
12
15
10
14
16
13
14
13
12
13
13
8
6
2
4
7
  • 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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