Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looks like Rolling Stones is going to be quiet for a good stretch before things get seriously interesting. We’ve got a big gap of nothing special to wade through first, so patience is gonna be key.

The first bit of action we see is Thursday the 23rd of July, but honestly, it’s nothing to get excited about. We’re looking at a modest 3ft south swell, with a 12-second period. The wind is a light cross-off, so it’s clean enough, but the combined energy is weak (213). The water is sitting at 55°, which is a fair bit colder than what’s normal for this time of year. This really only matters if you’re desperate for a paddle; it’s not the standout.

From Friday the 24th right through to the end of July, it’s pretty much a write-off. There are days where the wind is howling, like near gale-force on Saturday the 25th, and the swell gets messy. Even when there’s a bit of size, like a 7ft south swell on Sunday the 26th, the wind is onshore and choppy. The energy picks up (1311) but the quality is poor. You’ll be battling.

We then get a bit of a reprieve on the morning of Thursday the 30th of July. A 6ft ESE swell, with that 12-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the west. The combined energy is still moderate (937), and the conditions are described as clean. It’s a solid option if you’re keen, but it’s not the main event.

The real standout, and I mean the one you’ve been waiting for, is the start of August. Monday the 2nd of August is a beauty. We’ve got a 6ft east swell, 10-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the north-northeast. The combined energy is moderate (732), and the conditions are clean. This is a great, solid day of surfing at Rolling Stones with the swell direction (E) matching the optimum south direction nicely for this reef.

But hold onto your board, because the crown jewel is Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th of August. On Wednesday the 5th, the morning is clean with an 12ft south swell (9-second period) and offshore wind from the NNW. The energy is very strong (2568). This is for experienced surfers only. The afternoon sees it jump to 15ft.

Then Thursday the 6th of August morning is the pick of the entire forecast. It’s absolutely glassy, with a 15ft south swell, an 11-second period, and the combined energy is massive (5790). This is big, powerful, and clean. This is only for the experts, as anything over 8ft gets serious. The long period and south swell direction suit this reef perfectly. Just be aware that crowds are possible here, as it’s a known spot.

From Friday the 7th, the swell is still enormous – 16ft – but the wind turns onshore and rainy, so the quality drops off. This is more for the tow crew or the kamikazes.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a dud. The best on offer is the morning of Monday the 2nd of August for a solid, clean session. The absolute standout, the one to circle on the calendar, is the morning of Thursday the 6th of August for a massive, glassy, expert-only swell.

Rusty.

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