Rolling Stones Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.83° E

Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rolling Stones sea temperature is
12.3°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 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, S swell with 2,673 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rolling Stones in the next 16 days are 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 27th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 18s
Best Surf 6AM (Tue 1st Sep)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 6AM (Tue 1st Sep)10ft (3.0m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Gutted, folks. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty average around here. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak surf ahead, but there are a couple of moments where it might just fire. Let’s break it down as it comes.

Right now, we’re looking at a quiet period. From Wednesday afternoon, the 26th, through the weekend, it’s mostly small. Wednesday has a clean 3ft of south swell at 16 seconds, but the energy is only moderate (561), and the water’s a bit colder than normal for this time of year at 54°F – about 2°F off the average, so you’ll feel that chill. Thursday bumps up a bit, with 5ft in the morning and 7ft in the afternoon from the south, but it’s cross-onshore and a bit choppy. Not great. Friday morning is clean with 5ft, but the period drops back to 13 seconds and the energy takes a hit (802). By Friday afternoon, the offshore wind is there, but the swell is fading to 4ft. Honestly, nothing here is going to get you out of bed.

The weekend is a write-off. Saturday and Sunday, the 29th and 30th, see the swell drop to under 3ft, and the energy is weak (139-257). The conditions are clean, but there’s just no power. You’re better off finding something else to do.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The first real standout is on Monday, the 31st of August. It’s a building swell, and by Monday afternoon it’s got some serious juice. We’re talking 12ft of south swell with a 14-second period and strong to very strong energy cranked at 4081. And the wind? Glass. Dead calm. This one has “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers” written all over it. This is a proper groundswell, so Rolling Stones (that reef setup) is going to handle this a lot better than a beach break would. It’s for advanced surfers only at this size – anything over 8ft is getting into expert territory, and this is well over that. It’s a standout, no doubt.

Tuesday the 1st of September keeps things solid. You’ve got 7ft of south swell in the morning and a clean 7ft in the afternoon, with the winds light and cross-offshore. Energy is still strong (1299 and 1113). This is another good window, though not as big as Monday. The waves are still chunky, so be aware of your level.

After that, it tapers off. The middle of the week drops back down to 4-5ft, and it’s just okay. The energy drops, and it’s not the same quality. The following weekend is small again. There’s a bit of a lift on the 4th of September, with a clean 4ft and offshore winds in the morning, but it’s nothing special. That Monday the 31st is your one to chase. It’s a week away, so keep an eye on the forecasts, but it’s looking like the best offer by a long shot.

The gap between the solid surf on the 1st and the next real, clean pulse on the 4th is a few days of small, weak waves. And after the 4th, it just fades away into the second week. From the 6th to the 10th, it’s all under 2ft, with weak energy. The 8th is about as flat as it gets, with a measly 0.7ft and an energy reading of just 10. There’s a little bump on the 9th (3ft) but it’s poor quality and cross-onshore. The 10th has a tiny 2ft in the morning.

So, there you have it. A long, slow stretch with one day that looks like a proper session. Hang tight for Monday afternoon. As always, forecasts can change, but we’re in for a run of small waves before that.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
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
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
3
3
3
4
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
S
17
1.7
S
18
2
S
17
1.9
S
16
1.5
S
13
1.3
S
13
1.1
S
12
0.9
S
12
0.8
S
11
0.7
S
11
0.6
S
11
0.5
S
10
0.6
S
14
2.5
SSW
10
2.5
S
13
2.5
SSW
12
3
S
13
2.5
S
12
2
S
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
443
1759
2299
1750
792
543
350
216
160
116
79
52
148
1135
2037
1866
2453
1806
1170
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
15
SW
15
E
20
NNE
20
NNE
20
N
20
N
15
N
15
NE
10
NW
15
W
5
NW
30
WSW
20
W
10
SW
20
WNW
10
WNW
5
E
10
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
4:33AM1.38m
4:59PM1.50m
5:22AM1.41m
5:47PM1.53m
6:11AM1.46m
6:33PM1.57m
6:58AM1.52m
7:20PM1.62m
7:44AM1.59m
8:05PM1.66m
8:29AM1.65m
8:52PM1.69m
Low Tide
10:29PM0.39m
10:48AM0.36m
11:15PM0.34m
11:32AM0.32m
00:03AM0.30m
12:17PM0.28m
00:49AM0.26m
1:02PM0.25m
1:35AM0.24m
1:48PM0.24m
2:20AM0.23m
2:37PM0.24m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:40
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:45
5:45
 mm
2
11
Temp °C
15
13
12
12
17
17
14
17
15
12
14
17
14
13
14
11
16
16
13
Feels °C
12
11
9
9
13
13
11
14
13
10
11
15
8
9
11
7
14
14
10
  • 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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