Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 15 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.5°C
1.3° 

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 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, S swell with 2,904 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period with SSE 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 16) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period. 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 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Wed 16th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 9s
Best Surf 9PM (Sun 20th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 21st Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Right off the bat, the first couple of days are a write-off. Tuesday afternoon is pretty junky – we’ve got a small 4ft south swell but that east-northeast wind is throwing some chop in the water at Rolling Stones, and the energy reading is nothing to write home about (354). Honestly, you’re not missing much. Wednesday morning is clean but tiny – 3ft – even though that west-northwest breeze is doing us a favour. It’s surfable but very ordinary, and the afternoon goes downhill with the easterly cross-shore.

There’s a real flat spell in the middle of the week. Thursday morning is still pretty weak with just 3ft, and even though the north-northwest wind is offshore and clean, it’s not worth getting too excited about. Friday rolls in with a bit more energy (422) but the cross-wind kills it, and the swell drops back to 3ft. Saturday is a bit of a tease – we see a pulse of 5ft south-southwest but the period is a short 6 seconds, so it’s messy and crossed up. The afternoon clean up at 4ft is better, but the conditions are just average.

Then the main event arrives. Monday the 21st is the standout of this whole outlook. Rolling Stones is looking firing – 8ft of south swell with a proper 12-second period, and we’re talking glass conditions, a light west-northwest breeze, clean as anything. The energy reading is huge (2275) – that’s serious, powerful groundswell pushing in. This is expert territory for sure, double overhead plus, but if you’ve got the skills, this is the session to chase. It’s on a reef, fairly exposed, and the south direction is exactly what this spot wants. Crowds are sometimes a factor here, and given how good Monday morning looks, expect some company. The afternoon drops a bit to 7ft but stays clean with a north-east cross-off, though the tide might muck around with it.

Tuesday the 22nd is a letdown – back down to 3ft, clean but weak. The energy is flat again (222), and we’re just paddling around. Wednesday the 23rd turns rough: strong south-southwest winds, onshore, 6ft in the morning jumping to 12ft in the afternoon with rain squalls. That’s a mess, too big and too blown out. Not a paddle session – more like a kite-surfing day honestly.

Thursday the 24th is still over-sized and lumpy. The morning is 10ft but cross-shore and chunky – tide-dependant, not great. The afternoon backs off to 7ft but it’s onshore and questionable. By Friday the 25th we’re down to a cleaner 4ft south swell in the morning, light west wind making it tidy, and the energy is moderate (440). It’s okay, one for the logs or a fun shortboard if you’re not fussy, but nothing to plan a trip around.

From Saturday the 26th onwards, it fades. Small swell, cross-shore winds, mostly ordinary or poor. There’s a tiny 1ft bump on Monday the 28th with a very long 19-second period – that’s too straight for a beach break, better at a point or reef, but Rolling Stones is a reef so it might wrap a little, but it’s just too small to be fun.

Now, late in the window, around Tuesday the 29th and Wednesday the 30th, there’s another pulse brewing. The 29th afternoon pushes 6ft south-west swell with 15 seconds and the energy climbs (1414), but it’s cross-onshore and choppy – not clean enough. Wednesday the 30th looks better: 5ft in the morning, south swell, 15 seconds, light north-west cross-off – clean and with decent push. The afternoon jumps to 7ft with S swell and 16 seconds and the energy is right up there (2287). Winds are moderate west cross-off, clean again. That’s a promising late-week run, but it’s still over a week away, so treat it as “looking good” rather than “booked in.” Could be a solid session on the reef if it cooperates.

Water temp is sitting at 55°F, which is about 2°F colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll feel that sting, so bring the rubber.

There’s some real quality buried in there – Monday the 21st is the pick of the whole forecast, and Wednesday the 30th afternoon could be the second act if the forecast holds. Keep an eye on the tides and be ready to move. This is a reef break, so it’s all about the right tide and clean wind. For now, the early week looks average, the middle is blown out or flat, but that Monday... that’s the one.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun morning, calm by Mon morning).

Tue
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
0
4
4
2
2
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
10
1.1
S
9
0.9
SSE
9
0.9
SE
9
0.9
SE
12
0.8
SE
10
0.8
SE
9
0.7
SE
11
0.9
SE
12
0.8
SE
12
0.8
SE
12
0.8
SE
12
1.3
S
7
1.2
S
8
1.3
SSW
10
2.5
S
8
2.5
S
10
2.5
S
12
2.1
S
12
1.3
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
332
207
113
112
224
138
125
110
244
190
193
176
163
195
290
957
1470
2246
1146
327
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
10
NW
5
W
15
E
15
WNW
15
NNW
20
N
20
WSW
20
SW
15
S
15
WNW
20
SW
10
W
30
WNW
35
SW
30
SSW
15
W
5
WNW
20
NE
10
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:52PM1.71m
9:14AM1.76m
9:39PM1.68m
9:58AM1.72m
10:25PM1.64m
10:45AM1.66m
11:11PM1.59m
11:34AM1.60m
11:55PM1.52m
12:25PM1.54m
00:41AM1.44m
1:14PM1.49m
1:29AM1.38m
Low Tide
3:05AM0.33m
3:31PM0.34m
3:51AM0.39m
4:19PM0.39m
4:38AM0.42m
5:05PM0.42m
5:24AM0.45m
5:53PM0.44m
6:09AM0.46m
6:41PM0.45m
6:53AM0.45m
7:29PM0.44m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:07
6:05
6:03
6:01
6:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:02
 mm
6
2
1
2
Temp °C
15
12
15
16
12
17
16
14
11
12
12
13
15
15
14
10
7
14
16
13
Feels °C
11
9
13
13
10
13
12
11
6
8
8
11
10
10
6
5
3
11
12
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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