Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 21 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.8° C
1.3° 

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 21 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, S swell with 6,222 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. 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 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Tue 21st Jul)6ft (1.9m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 28th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 6AM (Tue 28th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Gather 'round, crew. Let's talk about the only game in town for the next couple of weeks, and that's Rolling Stones. This is a serious reef break, for advanced surfers only, and it's fairly consistent. The water's sitting at 55°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll want a good hood and gloves.

We've got a slow start. Tuesday the 21st is a write-off with a messy 8ft south swell, but choppy, cross conditions. Not worth paddling out for the mess. Wednesday the 22nd is where it gets interesting. The swell drops to a clean 4ft from the south, but the wind goes glassy. That's a major positive. The period is a solid 12 seconds, so those waves will have shape. The energy is moderate (529). It's not huge, but it'll be clean and fun for the crew that knows the reef.

Thursday the 23rd drops off to 3ft, still clean but small. Friday the 24th is flat with a tiny 1ft and no energy (35). Saturday the 25th tries to pick up but gets messy fast, with a 8ft SSW swell at a short, crumbly 7 seconds and a fresh cross-shore wind. That's a mess.

Now, hold on for the second week. The real standout is Tuesday the 28th of July. The swell jumps to a massive 15ft from the south, with a 12-second period. The combined energy is a strong 7870. That's a lot of water moving. The wind is a clean cross-offshore, so it will be groomed. This is for experts only – over 8ft, it's a beast. The morning session is the call, with exceptional conditions for the brave. The afternoon glass-off is also excellent at 12ft.

Wednesday the 29th stays solid with a 10ft south-east swell and a 13-second period, with a clean offshore wind from the NNW. Excellent for experienced surfers again. The energy is still strong (3033). Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are still surfable, with 8ft and 6ft swells, but the wind picks up to a moderate breeze, so it won't be as clean.

Looking further out, Saturday the 2nd of August gets a monster 13ft south swell (6437 energy), but it's getting thrashed by a strong 22 mph wind. That's a kite-surfing setup, not a paddle session. Monday the 4th and Tuesday the 5th of August settle back into the 7ft to 8ft range with better winds. The morning of the 5th looks promising with a 7ft south swell, 16-second period, and a clean cross-offshore breeze.

So, the pick of the litter is clear: Tuesday the 28th of July, morning session at Rolling Stones. 15ft south swell, clean cross-offshore wind, and a long 12-second period. That's a rare, heavy day for the experts. The Wednesday the 29th morning is a close second. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or for the dedicated crew who don't mind a bit of chop.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat night, light winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon).

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
5
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
16
2
S
15
1.6
S
13
1.3
S
12
1.1
S
12
1
S
13
0.8
S
12
0.5
S
11
0.4
SSW
10
0.4
S
10
0.4
S
9
0.5
E
8
1
E
12
2.4
SSW
7
3.5
SSW
11
1.3
ESE
14
2.5
SSE
13
1.9
ESE
13
3.5
S
9
3.5
S
10
4
S
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2594
1699
905
501
342
326
177
66
36
30
27
34
280
486
2409
612
2231
1253
1799
2457
4479
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
5
SE
10
NNW
5
WNW
5
ESE
10
NW
10
N
15
NE
10
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
25
N
30
WNW
35
WSW
40
SW
15
WSW
10
SSW
20
S
25
SSW
25
SW
10
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
11:07AM1.68m
11:33PM1.68m
11:59AM1.65m
00:24AM1.62m
12:54PM1.62m
1:14AM1.58m
1:46PM1.61m
2:03AM1.55m
2:36PM1.59m
2:51AM1.51m
3:22PM1.58m
3:37AM1.48m
4:08PM1.56m
Low Tide
5:23PM0.29m
5:51AM0.28m
6:15PM0.36m
6:39AM0.36m
7:08PM0.42m
7:27AM0.42m
8:00PM0.47m
8:15AM0.47m
8:50PM0.50m
9:04AM0.48m
9:37PM0.50m
9:53AM0.48m
10:23PM0.49m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:08
5:09
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:14
 mm
1
1
6
1
1
Temp °C
10
11
9
10
11
9
12
14
11
14
15
13
12
11
9
8
8
9
9
8
6
Feels °C
8
9
6
8
9
7
9
11
7
10
11
9
5
3
2
4
4
4
3
2
2
  • 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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