Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 21 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.6° C
1.5° 

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 21 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, S swell with 8,402 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Wed 22nd Jul)5ft (1.6m) 13s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 27th Jul)18ft (5.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 27th Jul)18ft (5.5m) 12s

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 coming down the line for Rolling Stones.

First up, the water is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than we’d normally expect for this time of year. You’ll want a good hood and gloves if you’re heading out.

The pattern kicks off Tuesday, July 21st with a solid 7ft swell from the south, but it’s a bit of a washout. The wave comment calls it marginal, with questionable tide, so don’t expect much. Wednesday, July 22nd is a beauty though. The swell drops to 4ft from the south with a 12-second period, and the wind goes glassy in the morning. That’s clean, smooth surf, but the overall energy is moderate (529). It’s a nice little session, but not a standout.

We’ve got a long gap of poor conditions after that. From Thursday, July 23rd right through to Sunday, July 26th, it’s mostly small, messy, or blown out with strong onshore winds. The swell picks up Sunday afternoon to 8ft, but the wind is onshore and the period is short at 8 seconds. It’s messy, lumpy, and not worth paddling out for.

Now, Monday, July 27th is a total beast mode day. We’re looking at 15ft to 16ft of south swell, but the wind is screaming cross-onshore at 18 to 16 mph. The combined energy is massive (5,164 to 8,295), but it’s a grinding, choppy, blown-out mess. Only the top-tier chargers on big-wave guns might get a look, and even then, it’s ugly.

The real standout comes on Tuesday, July 28th. The morning session is where it’s at. The swell drops to 8ft from the southeast, with a long 14-second groundswell period. The wind is light from the WNW, which is a clean cross-offshore. The combined energy is still very strong (4,904), and the wave comment says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That’s the pick of the first week. This is a serious, powerful reef wave, and with that long period, it’ll be walling up nicely. Only for those who know what they’re doing – 8ft is too big for beginners.

The rest of the week after that is a write-off. Strong winds, big chop, and messy conditions. We get a few scraps on Saturday, August 1st and Sunday, August 2nd with clean 3ft to 5ft south-east swells, but it’s inconsistent.

The real gold is on the horizon. Tuesday, August 4th and Wednesday, August 5th. This is the big one. Tuesday morning we’ve got a massive 15ft swell from the south, with a 13-second period, and the wind is offshore from the NW at 3 mph. The combined energy is enormous (7,090), and the wave comment says it’s exceptional conditions for expert surfers. That’s the absolute best on offer. The afternoon holds 16ft, still clean, but even more intense. Wednesday also holds 15ft with clean cross-offshore winds. This is a pumping, groundswell-heavy system that will be barreling at Rolling Stones. This is not a beginner or intermediate wave. It’s a true expert-only, lifetime session if you’re in the right spot.

So, to sum it up: the best windows are Wednesday morning, July 22nd for a smaller, clean session, but the absolute standouts are Tuesday, August 4th and Wednesday, August 5th. That’s when the big, clean, powerful groundswell hits. Mark it in your calendar.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the S by Sun afternoon).

Tue
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
6
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
S
15
1.6
S
13
1.3
S
12
1.1
S
12
1
S
13
0.8
S
12
0.5
S
12
0.4
SSW
10
0.4
S
10
0.4
S
9
0.4
E
12
0.8
E
11
0.9
ESE
11
2.5
SSW
8
2.1
S
9
2.4
S
8
3
SSW
8
4.5
S
10
5
S
12
5
S
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1699
905
501
342
326
184
75
34
30
27
46
157
205
706
678
822
1156
4159
7137
7158
Wind (km/h)
5
SE
10
N
5
WNW
5
ESE
10
NW
15
N
15
NE
15
NNW
15
NNW
15
NW
20
NNE
15
NW
30
SSW
35
SW
20
SW
10
S
25
S
30
SSW
25
SW
15
WSW
Wind State
on
off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
11:33PM1.68m
11:59AM1.65m
00:24AM1.62m
12:54PM1.62m
1:14AM1.58m
1:46PM1.61m
2:03AM1.55m
2:36PM1.59m
2:51AM1.51m
3:22PM1.58m
3:37AM1.48m
4:08PM1.56m
Low Tide
5:23PM0.29m
5:51AM0.28m
6:15PM0.36m
6:39AM0.36m
7:08PM0.42m
7:27AM0.42m
8:00PM0.47m
8:15AM0.47m
8:50PM0.50m
9:04AM0.48m
9:37PM0.50m
9:53AM0.48m
10:23PM0.49m
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:08
5:09
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:14
 mm
2
2
1
5
2
Temp °C
11
9
10
11
9
13
14
11
14
16
13
14
12
10
10
9
9
8
9
6
Feels °C
9
6
8
9
7
10
11
7
10
12
9
10
6
3
6
6
2
1
3
1
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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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