Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 30 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.1°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 30 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 4,554 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Tue 1st Sep)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Best Surf12PM (Wed 2nd Sep)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Most Powerful12PM (Wed 2nd Sep)10ft (3.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let's get into it. This is Rolling Stones, a heavy reef setup that needs a certain kind of mindset and a certain kind of board. It’s not a beginner wave at any time, but especially not when it’s solid. The water's sitting at 54°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so bring the thick rubber.

The next 16 days are a bit of a slow burn at first. We're looking at a dead zone for the first chunk, with barely a ripple on Sunday and Monday. The outlook doesn't even get interesting until Wednesday the 2nd of September. That's when the S swell starts to fill in properly. We're talking 8 to 8ft of south swell, and the winds go offshore or even glassy. That Wednesday afternoon looks like the standout of this first week – 8ft at 17 seconds, glassy conditions, and a solid 6069 energy in the water. That is a serious session for the advanced crew. It's a big, powerful, long-period groundswell hitting a steep reef, so it could be a bit walled, but the conditions will be absolutely perfect. The next morning on Thursday the 3rd drops down a bit in size, around 5ft, but the period is still up there. The energy is much lower though, so it won't be anywhere near as good.

After that, it backs right off. There's a lot of nothing from Friday the 4th through Monday the 7th, with small, weak surf and average winds. It's a proper lull. Don't bother paddling out unless you're desperate for a grovel.

The second week has more of that back-end energy but it gets messy. It’s promising but less certain as far out as it is.

The real gem in this whole period looks like the 7th of September, a Monday. The morning is junk, but the afternoon shows a pulse of new S swell hitting 8ft with an offshore NNW wind. It's a short period, around 8 seconds, and that's a bit of a warning sign for a reef. That short, steep stuff can double up and pitch hard. Still, offshore wind and some size – that's a proper look.

Then the wheels come off for a while as we head into the 10th and 11th. A big, stormy SW swell moves in and the winds turn onshore, creating messy, lumpy conditions. On the 12th of September, we're looking at 18ft of pure south energy but it's pinned by a strong cross-shore breeze. It will be a washing machine out there, and honestly, with that size and wind and a reef setup, it looks more interesting for the kite crowd than us paddle surfers.

The final saving grace is Sunday the 13th of September. The swell drops to a still-chunky 12ft, but the winds go light offshore and it cleans up nicely. That afternoon, with 10ft+ and clean conditions, will be an epic, challenging session for experienced surfers only. Anyone under that level shouldn't even be looking at the water. This stretch starts looking like a bit of a diamond in the rough, but like everything two weeks out, treat it with a bit of healthy caution.

There's a little pulse at the very end, around the 14th, but the winds swing onshore, and it's time to call it a day. The standout here, mate, is that Wednesday afternoon on the 2nd of September, with the second best being the following Monday afternoon the 7th. Get in, get wet, and hold on.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Mon night, calm by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
3
4
4
5
2
2
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
S
10
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SSW
13
0.9
S
17
1.8
S
14
3
SSW
13
3
S
12
3
S
12
3
S
13
2.5
S
14
3
S
17
2.3
S
15
1.6
S
13
1.2
S
13
0.9
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.8
S
10
1.1
SW
6
0.7
SSW
9
0.6
S
9
0.5
S
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
78
34
58
470
1262
2866
2868
2653
3297
2281
4501
2215
865
473
220
198
133
77
82
59
101
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
25
WSW
15
W
25
WNW
25
WNW
35
SW
30
SW
15
SW
10
NW
10
WNW
10
NNE
30
WNW
25
WNW
20
WNW
20
NW
25
NW
15
W
10
W
10
W
10
E
15
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
High Tide
7:20PM1.62m
7:44AM1.59m
8:05PM1.66m
8:29AM1.65m
8:52PM1.69m
9:13AM1.70m
9:40PM1.69m
9:59AM1.73m
10:30PM1.68m
10:50AM1.74m
11:22PM1.67m
11:46AM1.74m
00:17AM1.65m
Low Tide
1:02PM0.25m
1:35AM0.24m
1:48PM0.24m
2:20AM0.23m
2:37PM0.24m
3:05AM0.23m
3:28PM0.25m
3:52AM0.23m
4:20PM0.25m
4:42AM0.24m
5:13PM0.25m
5:34AM0.23m
6:09PM0.23m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:30
6:28
6:26
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:49
 mm
2
2
Temp °C
15
17
13
16
17
13
9
9
8
14
16
14
18
19
17
19
20
13
14
15
12
Feels °C
12
12
9
9
11
6
3
5
5
12
13
8
14
16
14
15
16
8
12
12
8
  • Map Icons:
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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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