Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
11.9°C
1.7° 

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 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, S swell with 4,569 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 (Aug 25) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. 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 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 25th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 16s
Best Surf 6PM (Thu 27th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 17s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 31st Aug)15ft (4.5m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. It’s a bit of a slow burn to start, but there’s a solid pulse of swell coming through later on. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks.

The surf is pretty small right now, but it’s clean. We’re looking at a couple of days of rideable, smaller waves before things get a bit wild and mixed up. Then, there’s a window of bigger, more powerful surf that’s worth paying attention to, especially for the more experienced crew.

Kicking things off on Tuesday the 25th at Rolling Stones (Big Island), the waves are a touch undersized but the conditions are perfect for what’s there. There’s a clean 4ft swell with a 12-second period, and the water is running a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a slightly thicker suit. A light offshore wind is keeping the surface glassy. We’re looking at moderate wave energy (466) here, and it’s a nice, mellow introduction. The swell drops a bit on Wednesday the 26th, but we get a bump in period to 18 seconds, which brings in that long-period groundswell. It’s still on the smaller side, around 3ft in the morning, but with glassy conditions and that long-period energy (531-563), the lines will be clean and well-defined. The crowd factor is always a possibility at this spot.

Thursday the 27th is when things start to get a bit more interesting. We see a significant bump in size, with the swell jumping to 5ft in the morning and 7ft in the afternoon. The combined energy is starting to build strongly (1693 to 2485). However, the wind turns onshore, and the quality drops right off. It’s going to be lumpy and onshore, making it a bit of a messy, challenging day. This is more of a look-and-see day than a go-out-and-score day. The strong energy and onshore wind at a break like this could make it more interesting for the kite crew than for paddle surfers.

Friday the 28th is a return to form. The swell eases off to a cleaner 5ft, but more importantly, the wind swings offshore again. The morning has a cross-off breeze and the afternoon looks clean with a gentle offshore wind. The period is a more manageable 13 seconds. It’s not the biggest day, but the quality is there for a fun session.

The weekend sees the swell fade into the background. Saturday the 29th has some small, clean, but very ordinary waves, and by Sunday the 30th, it’s dropping out quickly—nothing worth getting excited about. The energy is weak, and we’re looking at a flat spell.

Then, on Monday the 31st, the ocean gets angry. A big, powerful swell rolls in, pushing 13ft to 15ft. This is serious, heavy water. But, the wind is a fresh, strong cross-onshore, and the energy readings are through the roof (2748 to 4308). The surf quality is rated as poor because of the wind. This is a big, stormy, chaotic mess. Not a day for the faint of heart, and honestly, not a day for most of us.

The payoff comes on Tuesday, September 1st. This is the standout. The swell settles from that big pulse down to a solid 7ft, the period is a clean 10 seconds, and the wind goes light and offshore, leaving the surf clean and lined up. The energy is strong (1389), and we’re looking at a proper, meaty session. It’s a powerful wave, so it’s for experienced surfers only, but for them, this will be excellent.

After that, things start to settle down again. Wednesday the 2nd is still rideable but the energy drops and a moderate offshore wind makes it a bit tricky. We then hit another poor run from Thursday the 3rd through to Sunday the 7th, with minimal swell and poor winds. It’s a flat, blank stretch.

Looking into the second week, there’s a tease. On Tuesday the 8th, a fresh, short-period SSW swell moves in. It’s only around 4ft in the morning with glassy conditions, but it builds to 7ft by the afternoon. The energy is moderate, but it’s a new pulse. Then on Wednesday the 9th, it bumps up to 8ft with an 11-second period. This recent pulse is from a different direction and looks to have some punch, but the winds are a bit cross-shore. It’s promising, but the long-range forecast is always less certain. It’s one to watch, but the real, clean, quality window is definitely that Tuesday.

For my money, the standout of the entire run is Tuesday, September 1st at Rolling Stones. Solid 7ft of south swell, light offshore wind, and the break’s a reef, so that long-period energy will be channeled nicely. The other one to keep in mind is Wednesday the 9th, but that one’s a bit more of a gamble.

The stretch from the 3rd to the 7th is going to be a bit of a flat, quiet period, but that’s how it goes sometimes. It never stays poor for long, though.

Always, Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, strong winds from the SSW by Sun night).

Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
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)
1.2
S
12
1
S
12
0.7
S
15
0.8
S
18
1
S
16
0.9
S
16
1.6
S
17
2
S
17
2
S
15
1.5
S
13
1.3
S
13
1
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.7
S
11
0.6
S
11
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SSW
14
4
S
9
4.5
S
10
3.5
S
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
439
294
218
390
535
427
1526
2326
1812
780
526
290
205
160
116
79
33
65
2748
4308
2567
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
5
ESE
10
NW
10
NW
5
NNW
20
WNW
15
SSE
10
E
20
NNE
20
NNE
15
N
15
N
10
NNW
10
NNE
15
N
15
NNW
20
WNW
45
SSW
35
SSW
25
SSW
10
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
off
off
glassy
cross-off
on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
off
High Tide
3:28PM1.49m
3:46AM1.38m
4:13PM1.49m
4:33AM1.38m
4:59PM1.50m
5:22AM1.41m
5:47PM1.53m
6:11AM1.46m
6:33PM1.57m
6:58AM1.52m
7:20PM1.62m
7:44AM1.59m
8:05PM1.66m
Low Tide
9:11AM0.44m
9:43PM0.43m
10:00AM0.41m
10:29PM0.39m
10:48AM0.36m
11:15PM0.34m
11:32AM0.32m
00:03AM0.30m
12:17PM0.28m
00:49AM0.26m
1:02PM0.25m
1:35AM0.24m
1:48PM0.24m
2:20AM0.23m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:45
 mm
1
1
1
3
Temp °C
15
16
12
16
18
15
11
11
12
17
15
15
17
18
15
16
15
11
10
10
7
Feels °C
13
14
9
14
16
11
8
9
8
13
12
11
16
16
12
11
10
7
2
4
4
  • 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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