Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.2° 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 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, S swell with 8,076 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 5.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 21st Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 8s
Best Surf 6AM (Fri 21st Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Most Powerful12AM (Wed 19th Aug)18ft (5.5m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Right, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Rolling Stones. This is a reef break that only works on a proper S swell, and it’s mostly for the advanced crew. The water’s sitting at 54°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good steamer.

The first few days are a write-off, I’m not gonna lie. Tuesday and Wednesday are just no good – strong winds, messy cross-shore chop, and the swell’s too raw. You’d be mad to paddle out unless you’re a glutton for punishment. Thursday morning sees the swell drop to 7ft from the S, but it’s still cross-shore with moderate breeze and the energy is moderate (1338). Honestly, it’s marginal at best.

Then we get a proper window. Friday the 21st morning is the real standout. We’ve got a clean 6ft S groundswell, period pushing 16 seconds, which is proper long-period energy (1971). The wind is a whisper-light NNW offshore, glassy conditions. This is excellent for experienced surfers – long, powerful lines but be aware, that long period can make it a bit too straight for the beach breaks, but it’s a dream on a reef like this. Friday afternoon still has some rideable 5ft S swell, but it goes cross-shore, so the morning is the call.

After that, things drop off again. Saturday and Sunday are small, with only knee-high leftovers. The energy drops right off (372 down to 106). It’s clean, but there’s nothing to surf.

Into the next week, Monday the 24th is a fun little pick-up with 4ft S swell, clean, light winds. Not a standout, but a nice session. Tuesday the 25th morning is very good – 4ft S swell but with a 16-second period again, light offshore NW wind, clean. The energy is moderate (686). That’s a good one for a sneaky dawny.

Then there’s a long gap of small, clean but weak surf until we hit the real gold. The following week, on the morning of Tuesday the 1st of September, we get a nice 5ft S groundswell with a 15-second period, and it’s clean with next to no wind (870). That’s a very good session.

But the absolute standout of the whole 16-day window is on the morning of Wednesday the 2nd of September. We’ve got 5ft of S swell, but the period is a massive 17 seconds, and the energy is strong (1693). The wind is a light offshore from the NNW, so it’s going to be glassy. This is proper groundswell, perfect for the reef, and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. The afternoon looks good too, with 6ft S swell and 16-second period, still offshore, but the morning is the pick.

Rolling Stones can get a crowd, but when it’s like this, it’s worth the fight.

Alright, I’m done. Catch you in the water.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 11°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun morning).

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
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
0
0
3
2
0
3
4
2
3
1
2
0
0
0
0
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
S
9
4
S
10
5.5
S
12
4.5
S
11
4
S
11
3
SSW
14
2
S
9
2.2
S
8
1.7
S
8
1.7
S
16
1.6
S
15
1.2
S
13
1.1
S
12
1
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.6
S
10
0.5
S
10
0.3
S
10
1.1
S
9
1.1
SSW
11
0.8
SSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1373
3168
8076
5346
3834
3334
607
671
381
1456
1134
473
339
250
146
72
48
17
207
325
229
Wind (km/h)
40
SW
50
SW
55
SSW
40
S
30
SSW
20
SW
25
SW
20
SSW
5
W
5
NNW
15
ENE
15
NNW
15
WNW
10
WNW
15
NW
25
NW
20
WNW
20
WNW
15
WNW
10
WNW
15
NW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
glassy
off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
9:46AM1.75m
10:10PM1.71m
10:33AM1.72m
10:59PM1.67m
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
Low Tide
4:01PM0.28m
4:27AM0.30m
4:51PM0.34m
5:15AM0.36m
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
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
6:46
6:45
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:37
 mm
1
2
7
2
1
Temp °C
10
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
10
13
14
12
16
17
14
16
17
13
16
17
12
Feels °C
0
-2
-1
0
3
4
6
7
8
11
10
8
13
14
8
10
12
8
13
14
8
  • 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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