Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.1° 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 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, S swell with 1,672 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rolling Stones in the next 16 days are 1.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 21st Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 8s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 21st Aug)6ft (1.8m) 16s
Most Powerful 9AM (Fri 21st Aug)6ft (1.8m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into the outlook for the next couple of weeks. The only break on the radar is Rolling Stones, a reef setup that’s fairly consistent and due for some serious action.

First up, let’s talk water temp. Right now, the water is at 54°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. You’ll want a good thick wetsuit.

The forecast starts with a bit of a dud. Thursday the 20th is a write-off with a messy cross-shore wind and a cross-chop on the 8ft S swell. The combined energy is moderate at 2381, but the conditions are just poor. Thursday afternoon is even worse.

Friday the 21st morning is where it all turns around. We’ve got a clean-looking 6ft S swell, a 16-second period, and light offshore NW wind. The energy is strong at 1914, and this is a standout for experienced surfers. The long period will make for some proper groundswell lines, but keep in mind it might break a bit straight on the reef. Still, this is the best quality on offer in the first week.

Friday afternoon holds up, but the wind goes cross, and the quality drops a notch. Saturday the 22nd is a solid, clean day with smaller 4ft S swell and light offshore winds. The energy is moderate at 427, but it’s clean and fun. After that, things drop off. Sunday and Monday look small and weak, with energy barely above 100. The swell is tiny, and conditions are poor.

We’ve got a gap of average to poor surf from the 24th until the 30th. The 25th and 26th have some clean but small waves, not worth getting excited about. The 27th and 28th are flat and weak.

Now, here’s the real standout for the trip. Wait for the 31st of August. Monday morning brings a glassy 8ft S swell with a massive 17-second period and combined energy of 3172. Conditions are glassy, and the wind is light offshore. This is a serious session for experienced surfers only. The size is right up there, and the long period is going to produce some powerful, clean lines. The swell direction is S, which is what Rolling Stones likes best.

The 1st and 2nd of September keep the energy high. Tuesday morning looks clean with a 10ft S swell, 13-second period, and light cross-off wind. The energy is massive at 2611. This is big, powerful, and for experts only. Wednesday morning is similar, with another 10ft S swell and even higher energy at 3510. The long-range forecast is promising, but less certain.

Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September see the swell easing but still offering very good surf. Thursday morning has a clean 8ft SSE swell, and Friday morning brings a clean 6ft SSE swell with light offshore winds.

So, the call is simple: if you’re an experienced surfer, target the 21st of August morning for a clean, quality session, and then absolutely circle the 31st of August morning through to the 2nd of September. Those are the true standouts. Don’t bother with the first few days. The reef can handle the long-period swell, just watch the tide.

Stay stoked, and keep your eyes on the horizon.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
3
4
3
3
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
2
1
1
1
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
13
1.9
S
8
1.7
S
8
1.8
S
16
1.7
S
16
1.4
S
13
1.2
S
12
1.1
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.7
S
10
0.4
SE
13
0.4
SE
13
0.4
SE
13
0.6
S
17
1.7
S
13
1.2
S
13
1.1
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.5
S
16
0.5
S
15
0.4
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1890
489
400
1672
1402
649
403
319
189
100
48
44
44
205
971
483
359
198
135
115
64
Wind (km/h)
25
SW
20
SSW
5
W
5
NW
10
E
10
NNW
10
NNW
5
NW
25
WNW
30
NW
25
NW
20
WSW
5
WNW
20
ENE
15
NNW
15
WNW
10
WNW
20
NW
15
NW
10
NW
15
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
glassy
off
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:22AM1.67m
11:48PM1.62m
12:14PM1.62m
00:35AM1.57m
1:06PM1.58m
1:22AM1.51m
1:56PM1.54m
2:10AM1.45m
2:43PM1.52m
2:58AM1.40m
3:28PM1.49m
3:46AM1.38m
4:13PM1.49m
Low Tide
5:41PM0.40m
6:03AM0.41m
6:30PM0.44m
6:49AM0.45m
7:20PM0.47m
7:35AM0.46m
8:10PM0.48m
8:23AM0.46m
8:57PM0.47m
9:11AM0.44m
9:43PM0.43m
10:00AM0.41m
10:29PM0.39m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:48
6:46
6:45
6:43
6:41
6:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
 mm
Temp °C
11
11
9
12
13
10
14
16
14
16
16
13
13
13
11
15
17
13
18
19
17
Feels °C
5
7
7
11
10
7
11
14
9
10
11
8
10
8
7
11
14
9
16
17
14
  • 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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