Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.8°C
0.9° 

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: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, S swell with 3,772 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (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 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 9th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Best Surf 9PM (Sat 12th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Most Powerful12AM (Sun 13th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's shaping up for us at Rolling Stones over the next couple of weeks. It's a bit of a mixed bag, but there are definitely some moments to get excited about if you're an advanced surfer.

We're starting off quietly. The first real opportunity to paddle out comes on Wednesday, September 9th. The morning session is our ticket in, with a glassy 5ft swell rolling in from the SE, and the combined energy at 327 (moderate). The water temp is about what you'd expect for this time of year. It's not huge, but clean, and those light winds from the WNW will have it looking smooth. Wednesday afternoon goes ugly fast with a shift to a cross-shore, so make the most of that morning window.

After that, we hit a frustrating dry spell. Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th are pretty much a write-off – the swell drops right off and the winds are messy, either onshore or just not cooperating. The only flicker of hope comes Friday afternoon with a tiny 2ft swell but a very long 18-second period from the south. It's a weak offering (energy of 421), so don't expect much.

Saturday the 12th is also a no-go. The wind is up, lumpy and choppy.

Then things start to get interesting. Sunday, September 13th is the first real standout, but with a major caveat. The swell jumps to a solid 8ft in the morning and 8ft in the afternoon, straight out of the south with a long 16-second period. The energy is a powerful 2900, so there's plenty of water moving. Real talk though: that long period groundswell hitting a reef like Rolling Stones is going to be a serious handful, and with a cross-onshore wind and chop, it's only for experts. This one is for the guys who live for a battle.

Keep Monday the 14th circled, because that's the best we've got in the first week. The morning is mint: offshore winds from the NW, glassy conditions, and a 7ft south swell with a 12-second period. The energy is a strong 1315, and with the wind cleaning it up, this is a proper session for experienced surfers. The waves will have real power and shape. Crowds are "sometimes" here, so you might have to compete for a few.

The middle of the week (Tuesday 15th) is smaller but still fun with clean 4ft surf. But then Wednesday the 16th through Friday the 18th is mostly rubbish again – strong winds, messy conditions, and blown-out surf.

Looking further out, we have two more potential highlights. Monday, September 21st has clean conditions and a consistent 5-5ft south swell with a 15-second period. The energy is well into the four digits, so it'll be powerful.

But the absolute standout of the whole 16-day window is Tuesday, September 22nd. That morning, we're looking at a massive 13ft south swell with an 11-second period, and it's glassy with a light offshore breeze from the NE. The combined energy is a whopping 3581. This is big, powerful, and clean. Let me be clear: this is 13ft at an advanced reef break. This is not for beginners or intermediates. This is for experts only. If you have the skills, the stones, and the right board, this will be the session to remember. The wind is clean all day, too.

There's also a nice window on Wednesday the 23rd of September with a 6ft clean south swell under offshore winds.

So, to wrap it up: the first real slice of action is Wednesday morning the 9th. The big, challenging standout is Sunday the 13th. But your best bet for a proper, clean, powerful session is Monday the 14th, and if you're an absolute charger, get ready for Tuesday the 22nd.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat morning, calm by Sun night).

Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
4
2
1
4
3
2
3
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
8
1.5
SE
8
1.4
SE
8
1.1
SE
8
0.8
SE
8
0.7
SE
8
0.4
SSW
15
2
S
7
0.6
S
18
0.6
S
18
0.6
S
17
1
S
16
2.5
S
16
2.4
S
16
2.5
S
16
2.3
S
14
2.1
S
12
1.9
S
13
1.6
S
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
423
284
221
125
79
55
74
377
240
222
212
529
3772
2900
3311
2078
1311
1218
762
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
5
W
15
ENE
15
NW
15
NW
5
SSE
15
SW
25
S
5
WSW
10
NW
35
SSW
25
SSW
10
NW
20
SW
20
SSW
5
N
10
NNW
10
ENE
10
W
Wind State
cross
glassy
cross
off
cross-off
on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross
cross-on
glassy
off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
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
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
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
5:53
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
 mm
6
3
3
Temp °C
10
12
12
11
16
15
12
10
11
11
11
10
8
12
12
10
14
15
13
Feels °C
7
10
8
7
13
13
10
5
9
7
4
4
5
8
8
8
12
13
10
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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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