Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.5°C
1.2° 

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 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, S swell with 1,864 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 14s period. 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 2.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Thu 3rd Sep)7ft (2.2m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Thu 3rd Sep)7ft (2.2m) 14s
Most Powerful 3AM (Thu 3rd Sep)7ft (2.2m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Hey, Rusty here. I've been looking at the charts for the local stretch, and there's some decent swell on the way, but it's a bit of a mixed bag with a couple of real standouts for the crew who can handle some size.

The next couple of weeks spin around two main pulses from the south. The first one hits this Thursday (September 3rd) morning with a solid 6ft S swell, a 13-second period that's got some proper power—the combined energy is strong at 1077. With a light NW offshore, it's going to be clean and well-shaped at the better reefs. Rolling Stones is the spot for this, and it's fairly consistent, so you won't be waiting around forever. Water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual. The afternoon drops a bit to 5ft, still clean enough with a cross-offshore breeze. Friday and Saturday are a let-down though, with smaller, weaker swells and ordinary conditions that aren't worth getting excited about. Sunday the 6th is just a write-off with tiny waves.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. The second pulse hits on Tuesday the 8th. Tuesday morning the 8th sees a 7ft S swell (11-second period) with a clean NNW offshore, the combined energy is strong at 1035. The waves will have some real push. That builds into Wednesday the 9th with a still-good 5ft S swell and an offshore breeze.

But the absolute standout—the one you want to clear your calendar for—is Sunday the 13th. We're looking at a 10ft S groundswell with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is absolutely pumping at 4292. The wind is a light NW offshore in the morning, so it's going to be glassy and perfect. This is big, 10ft is for experienced surfers only—if you're not confident in your ability to handle a serious reef break with power, sit this one out. This is a true groundswell with long period energy, and it's going to break with real authority at a spot like Rolling Stones, which is a reef setup. It's a prime target for this kind of swell, and the consistency is there. The cross-offshore wind in the afternoon still makes for a decent session, but the morning window is where the magic is.

Following that, Monday the 14th morning is worth a mention, with a clean, glassy 5ft S swell and an energy reading of 474. A much more manageable size for a wider range of skill levels, and with the wind flat, it'll be a dream.

The middle of the second week has another pulse to keep an eye on. Tuesday the 15th sees a 7-8ft S swell. The morning is clean but the afternoon really shines with a moderate NW offshore, bumping the combined energy to 1595. This one is for the experienced crew again, with solid size and power.

After that, the surf starts to fade out. We get some smaller, weaker swells through the 16th and 17th with poor wind, and the last few days of the forecast window offer only marginal, weak SE pulses. So, to sum it up: the best on offer is that Sunday the 13th morning, hands down. Get on it if you can handle it. Tuesday the 8th and 12th are the next best bets for solid, clean waves.

Catch you in the line-up.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun night, min 9°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
4
3
3
2
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
14
1.8
S
13
1.4
S
13
1
S
12
0.8
S
11
0.6
S
10
0.4
S
10
1
SSW
8
0.8
SSW
9
0.7
S
9
0.7
SSW
10
0.4
SSW
17
0.5
S
17
0.2
S
16
2.5
SSW
7
2.5
S
11
2.1
S
11
1.8
S
11
1.6
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2155
1077
613
268
146
71
29
140
103
81
100
97
151
21
653
1625
1030
727
541
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
15
NW
5
N
15
WNW
20
NW
30
NW
15
WNW
10
WNW
15
NE
10
NNW
20
NW
20
NNW
30
NNW
20
W
30
SSW
0
WNW
20
N
15
WNW
10
NW
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
off
cross-off
off
High Tide
9:40PM1.69m
9:59AM1.73m
10:30PM1.68m
10:50AM1.74m
11:22PM1.67m
11:46AM1.74m
00:17AM1.65m
12:46PM1.73m
1:15AM1.63m
1:45PM1.73m
2:15AM1.61m
2:43PM1.74m
Low Tide
3:52AM0.23m
4:20PM0.25m
4:42AM0.24m
5:13PM0.25m
5:34AM0.23m
6:09PM0.23m
6:29AM0.21m
7:08PM0.21m
7:26AM0.19m
8:07PM0.18m
8:26AM0.16m
9:05PM0.15m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:22
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:46
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:52
 mm
1
Temp °C
13
17
19
15
17
17
13
15
15
12
15
16
17
15
10
10
17
17
11
Feels °C
10
14
17
10
12
12
9
12
11
9
10
11
13
11
3
7
13
13
10
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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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