Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.9°C
0.8° 

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 8 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with 4,207 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period with SE 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) 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 0.6m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Wed 9th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Best Surf 3AM (Sun 13th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sun 13th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what's coming our way.

We’ve got a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks. The first week is a bit of a write-off, mainly due to messy winds and poor conditions. The real action doesn’t kick off properly until Sunday the 13th, but when it does, we’re talking solid groundswell and some incredible conditions.

Rolling Stones is our only option on the table, and this reef break is a proper advanced wave. With a consistent track record, it's usually worth a look when the stars align. Water temp is sitting at 55°, which is about 1° cooler than usual for this time of year, so pretty average for the season. A little cool, but nothing a decent suit can’t handle.

Don’t even think about paddling out on Tuesday the 8th. We’ve got a messy 8 ft cross-onshore swell with weak energy (979). Wednesday morning the 9th is a glimmer of hope with glassy conditions and a small 5 ft SE swell (338), but it’s fairly weak and the afternoon turns to junk. Thursday the 10th drops right off.

Things start to look interesting from Sunday the 13th. This is the standout of the whole outlook. We’ve got a strong 8 ft S groundswell with a very long 16-second period rolling in, and the combined energy is absolutely pumping (3657). Morning winds are clean and cross-offshore from the west. This is prime for experienced surfers only—over 8 ft is expert territory. The long period means the reef will really line up, but you’ll have to deal with longer lulls between sets. Expect crowds here, as it’s a well-known spot.

Monday the 14th is almost as good. Another morning of glassy conditions with a 8 ft S swell (2061) and a 13-second period. Again, this is for the experienced crew. The afternoon wind swings around to a messy cross-shore, so get on it early.

Another big pulse arrives on Friday the 18th. The morning session catches a strong 8 ft S swell (2152) with a 14-second period and clean cross-offshore winds. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets a bit raggedy.

Saturday the 19th afternoon brings a glassy surprise: a 4 ft S swell (1655) with a very long 16-second period. Excellent conditions for those who know the reef.

Late on Monday the 21st is a smaller clean option with a 4 ft SSE swell (290) and light offshore winds. It’s not a standout, but it’s a fun session if you’re around.

The last few days of the outlook get pretty messy again, with strong cross-onshore winds and lumpy conditions, so forget about it.

The Bottom Line: If you’re an experienced surfer, the morning of Sunday September 13th and Monday September 14th are your absolute best bets. Solid, powerful groundswell with clean winds. The morning of Friday September 18th is another top pick. Everything else is a wait-and-see game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
4
4
3
2
4
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SSE
8
2.3
SSE
9
1.8
SE
8
1.5
SE
8
1.3
SE
8
1.1
SE
8
0.8
SE
8
0.6
SE
7
0.3
S
21
2.5
SSW
7
0.6
S
18
0.5
S
18
0.4
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
2.5
S
16
2.5
S
16
2.2
S
16
1.8
S
15
2.4
S
13
2.1
S
8
1.9
S
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
953
789
448
277
227
131
69
44
77
611
246
156
96
346
3358
3657
2511
1390
2053
572
955
Wind (km/h)
30
SSW
25
SSW
10
SSW
0
NW
15
ENE
15
NW
20
WNW
5
WNW
30
SW
30
S
15
SSW
10
NNW
25
SW
20
S
15
N
15
W
10
SW
15
SW
5
WNW
20
ENE
20
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
glassy
cross
cross-off
High Tide
2:43PM1.74m
3:14AM1.61m
3:41PM1.74m
4:12AM1.62m
4:37PM1.75m
5:08AM1.63m
5:33PM1.75m
6:03AM1.67m
6:25PM1.75m
6:56AM1.71m
7:15PM1.74m
7:45AM1.75m
8:04PM1.73m
Low Tide
9:05PM0.15m
9:27AM0.13m
10:02PM0.13m
10:25AM0.11m
10:59PM0.13m
11:19AM0.11m
11:53PM0.14m
12:11PM0.13m
00:45AM0.17m
1:02PM0.18m
1:33AM0.22m
1:52PM0.24m
2:19AM0.27m
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:15
6:13
6:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
 mm
2
4
7
1
1
1
Temp °C
10
11
10
12
13
11
15
16
12
10
11
11
12
11
9
14
15
13
14
14
12
Feels °C
5
6
7
10
9
8
12
14
9
4
8
7
7
7
7
11
12
9
11
10
10
  • 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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