Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 29 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.6° C
1.4° 

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 28 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with 17,197 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s 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 (Jul 29) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 6.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Wed 29th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 12s
Best Surf 6AM (Tue 4th Aug)20ft (6.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 6AM (Tue 4th Aug)20ft (6.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, checking in. Let’s talk about what’s on offer at Rolling Stones.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a solid window opening Wednesday morning, July 29th. The water is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget the extra rubber. First light on Wednesday is looking clean with a glassy 6ft swell rolling in from the southeast, period at 13 seconds—that’s a proper groundswell, with moderate energy pumping through (1043). It’s a reef break, so that long period will be working well, and with the wind glassy, those waves are going to be lined up. This is the standout of the early run. By the afternoon, the wind shifts to a cross-off shore, and it’s still clean, but the energy drops a tick (958). Still a good afternoon session.

Thursday morning, July 30th, is another beauty. The swell drops slightly to 5ft from the ESE, but we’ve got a clean offshore wind from the north, 15 km/h. The period is 12 seconds, the energy is moderate (701), and the waves will be holding shape. The afternoon stays clean, though the swell backs off to 4ft.

Friday, July 31st, the wind swings hard out of the WNW at 25 km/h, cross-off, but the swell drops to under 3ft and the energy is weak (228). The conditions are poor, so it’s a day to sit out.

Then we hit a rough patch. Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of August are writes off—strong winds, onshore, rain, and lumpy, messy surf. The swell jumps up to 10ft and 12ft, but with strong cross-onshore winds, it’s just a washing machine. Not worth paddling out.

Monday the 3rd of August brings a return to form. Morning shows a clean 6ft swell from the south with a light cross-off wind, and the energy is moderate (788). By the afternoon, the wind goes totally glassy, and the swell pushes to 8ft from the south with a 10-second period. The energy is strong (1154). This is the second real standout—clean, lined up, and the reef will be handling it nicely.

But Tuesday the 4th of August, hold on. The swell cranks up to 21ft from the SSW, with a 15-second period and massive energy (28507). That’s way too big, even for an advanced reef. This is expert-only territory, and honestly, it’s going to be so big it’s more of a show than a surf. The wind is favorable, but the size is just too much for this break.

From Wednesday the 5th through to the end of the forecast, the swell stays big—between 10ft and 15ft—but the wind conditions are mostly onshore, cross-on, or messy. The period is long, and the energy is high, but the wind is ruining the surface. A few sessions on the 12th and 13th of August flirt with a small window, but the wind is still onshore or cross-on, making it marginal at best. The last decent chance is Thursday morning, August 13th, with a 8ft ESE swell and a period of 12 seconds, but the wind is straight onshore. It’s a gamble.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Wednesday morning, July 29th, and Monday afternoon, August 3rd. Both are clean, with good swell and energy, and the reef will be giving you some proper waves. Everything else in between is either too big, too windy, or just not worth it.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon afternoon).

Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
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
2
3
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
0
!
!
7
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
SE
13
1.8
SE
12
1.6
ESE
12
1.4
ESE
12
1.3
ESE
11
1
ESE
11
0.9
ESE
11
0.8
ESE
11
0.7
ESE
11
2
SSW
10
3
SSW
11
4.5
S
11
3.5
S
11
3.5
S
11
2.2
S
11
1.8
S
11
2.3
S
10
3
S
11
6.5
SSW
15
6
SSW
15
4.5
S
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1003
933
722
518
379
256
190
154
103
726
2301
4540
3132
2574
1107
748
1146
2058
17177
15490
8010
Wind (km/h)
5
NNW
15
NE
15
NNW
15
N
15
NW
20
N
25
WNW
25
WNW
30
WNW
20
SW
40
SSW
40
SSW
35
SW
50
SSW
40
SSW
15
W
0
SSE
25
SW
10
WSW
10
S
5
W
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
5:37PM1.55m
5:56AM1.42m
6:22PM1.55m
6:43AM1.44m
7:06PM1.57m
7:30AM1.47m
7:50PM1.58m
8:14AM1.51m
8:34PM1.61m
8:57AM1.55m
9:19PM1.63m
9:39AM1.59m
10:04PM1.65m
Low Tide
11:24AM0.41m
11:53PM0.41m
12:05PM0.37m
00:38AM0.36m
12:47PM0.33m
1:23AM0.32m
1:30PM0.31m
2:07AM0.29m
2:15PM0.29m
2:50AM0.27m
3:02PM0.29m
3:34AM0.27m
3:49PM0.29m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:13
7:13
7:11
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:17
5:19
5:20
5:21
 mm
1
3
6
4
2
2
3
Temp °C
12
14
10
15
16
14
15
14
11
8
7
8
7
9
9
10
11
9
11
11
9
Feels °C
9
10
6
11
12
10
9
8
5
3
-2
-1
-2
-2
1
7
8
5
8
8
7
  • 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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