Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 22 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 22 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, S swell with 4,665 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s 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 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Wed 22nd Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s
Best Surf 6AM (Sun 26th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 8s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 28th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Alright, we’ve got a solid run of surf on the horizon here at Rolling Stones, though it’s gonna take a bit of patience before we see the real magic. The early part of the week is a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a couple of standout windows that are worth marking on the calendar.

We kick things off on Wednesday, July 22nd, with some clean, glassy conditions. The morning session is looking sweet with a 4ft swell from the south, a 12-second period, and glassy conditions. The water is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit. The combined energy is moderate (529), and the waves are clean and rideable. The afternoon holds similar vibes, still glassy, with a slightly smaller 4ft south swell. A solid, if unspectacular, start to the period.

Thursday the 23rd is a downshift. We’ve got a 3ft south swell in the morning, dropping to 2ft in the afternoon, with a cross-off breeze. Clean, but small. The energy drops significantly (213 then 130). It’s surfable, but you’ll be working for the fun ones.

Then we hit a dry spell. From Friday the 24th right through to the end of the month, the conditions get messy. Friday the 24th is tiny and weak, with a 1ft south swell. Saturday the 25th brings a 3ft east swell, but the wind is a problem. By Sunday the 26th, the swell picks up to 6ft, but it’s a short-period (8 seconds) south swell, and the wind is onshore. The energy jumps to 832, but the quality is poor. Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th get even bigger, with 8ft to 12ft south swell, but the wind is howling from the southwest at 19 mph, creating a lumpy, cross-shore mess. The energy is high (1620 to 4105), but it’s not for surfing. It’s a beach setup, and with that much wind, kite surfers would be having a field day.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday, July 29th is the first real standout. The morning brings a clean 8ft southeast swell with a long 13-second period, and a light offshore wind from the NNW. This is proper groundswell energy, and the conditions are glassy. The combined energy is strong (2443). This is excellent surf, but at 8ft, it’s only for experienced surfers. The afternoon holds with a 8ft ESE swell, still clean and offshore. This is the best quality on offer in the entire forecast.

Thursday the 30th is still good in the morning, with a 6ft ESE swell, 11-second period, and a moderate offshore. The energy is still solid (829). The wind shifts onshore in the afternoon, which spoils it.

After that, we get another grumpy period. Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st of August are wind-affected and messy. Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd of August see a massive, blown-out swell arrive, with 13ft to 20ft south swell, and strong onshore winds. The energy is through the roof (up to 9440), but it’s a total washout for surfing. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle-surfing.

The second standout window comes on Wednesday, August 5th. The morning delivers a clean 6ft ESE swell, 11-second period, with a glassy offshore wind from the NNW. The energy is moderate (1093), and the conditions are very good. The afternoon holds similar quality with a 6ft ESE swell. This is a much more manageable size for a wider range of skill levels, and the clean, offshore wind will make it hollow and fun.

Thursday the 6th of August is the last day of the forecast, with a smaller 5ft south swell in the morning, still clean, and a 4ft ESE swell in the afternoon. A solid finish to the run.

So, to wrap it up: the best bets are Wednesday, July 29th for the big, powerful, expert-only stuff, and Wednesday, August 5th for a more accessible, high-quality session. Get in the water on those days.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the SW by Sun morning).

Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
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
0.5
E
12
0.8
E
11
0.9
ESE
11
2.5
SSW
8
1.8
S
8
1.1
SE
14
1.3
ESE
14
2.5
S
8
3
S
9
4
S
12
3.5
S
10
2.3
SE
14
2.4
SE
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
501
342
326
180
75
34
30
26
71
157
202
675
448
493
561
836
1437
4665
2269
2037
2098
Wind (km/h)
5
WNW
5
ESE
10
NW
10
N
10
NNE
10
NNW
15
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNE
25
WSW
30
SW
25
SW
10
SW
20
S
30
SSW
35
SW
30
SW
35
SW
35
SW
20
SW
5
NW
Wind State
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
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
4:23AM1.45m
4:53PM1.55m
Low Tide
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
10:40AM0.45m
11:08PM0.46m
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
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
7:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:09
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:14
5:15
 mm
4
4
1
1
5
6
Temp °C
10
11
9
13
14
12
14
15
13
13
12
9
8
9
8
8
10
9
10
11
8
Feels °C
8
9
7
10
11
8
9
10
9
8
6
2
5
3
2
0
2
1
4
7
6
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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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