Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve been looking over the charts for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got one main spot on the radar, Rolling Stones, and it’s got a bit of a story to tell. It’s a reef break, so it needs a bit of respect, and it’s fairly consistent but not always pumping. The water’s sitting at 54°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll feel that chill.

The week starts off a bit of a write-off. Thursday the 20th is a shocker. We’ve got a solid 8ft swell from the south, but the wind is howling cross-shore from the SW at 16 mph, and the wave energy is a massive 2381 (moderate-strong). It’s a messy, choppy mess. Not worth paddling out unless you’re after a beating.

Things turn around on Friday the 21st. That’s where the magic starts. The wind goes glassy offshore from the NW at 3 mph, and the swell drops to a cleaner 6ft from the south, with a super long 16-second period. The wave energy is still high at 1914 (moderate-strong). The morning session is the absolute standout of the whole run – clean, lined-up waves for experienced surfers. The afternoon is a bit more cross-shore, but still decent.

Saturday the 22nd is a good one for a wider range of surfers. The swell drops to 4ft, but it’s clean with offshore winds – NNW 6 mph in the morning, WNW 3 mph in the arvo. The period is a solid 12 seconds, so there’s a bit of push. The energy is moderate (424 and 345). It’s a fun, cruisy day.

Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th are flat and not worth your time. The swell drops to 2ft and 2ft, and wind is cross or onshore. A couple of days to get the gear sorted.

Tuesday the 25th is another cracker. The morning sees a 6ft south swell with a 13-second period, clean from a light cross-offshore breeze. The energy is 1172 (moderate). The afternoon goes glassy with a 5ft swell – smooth as. That’s a full day of fun.

The rest of the week from Wednesday the 26th to Sunday the 30th is a long, quiet gap. Swell drops to below 3ft, and most days are just small and weak. The energy sinks into the double digits (180, 90). It’s not a total blank, but it’s not making any headlines. The crowds might be nil, but there’s nothing to ride.

But then, we get a late burst. Monday the 31st of August kicks off with a 5ft south swell, 14-second period, clean cross-offshore wind. The energy is 751 (moderate). It’s a solid, fun morning.

The real late-season highlight is Tuesday the 1st of September. The swell jumps back up to 7ft, then 8ft, from the south, with a very long 17-second period in the morning. The wind is offshore from the NW at 9 mph, and the wave energy is a massive 2621 (strong). This is a powerful, groundswell event. It’s a bit big for beginners at over 8ft, so it’s an expert-only day. The long period means it’ll be super clean, but this reef will be handling a lot of water. The morning is the best of the second week.

Wednesday the 2nd of September is still good, with a 5ft swell and a 12-second period, clean cross-offshore wind. The energy is 803 (moderate). A solid follow-up session.

After that, the forecast drops off again into the first week of September, with small, weak, and onshore conditions. The 3rd and 4th are not worth a look.

So, calling it. The absolute best on offer is Friday morning, the 21st of August – that’s your clean, long-period, offshore gem. The second standout is Tuesday the 1st of September, for the big, powerful, expert-only groundswell. Don’t sleep on those two sessions.

Rusty.

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