Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 12 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
20.6° C
0.2° 

Rainbow Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period, ESE swell with 680 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period with S swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rainbow Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rainbow Bay in the next 16 days are 2.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Thu 13th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 7s
Best Surf10PM (Tue 18th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 8s
Most Powerful 1AM (Tue 18th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s see what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks at your local spot.

We’re starting slow at Rainbow Bay. Wednesday morning the 12th has a tiny 2ft easterly swell with a 9-second period, and the wind is glassy from the WSW. The water is about 69°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. The energy is weak, sitting at 140, so it’s rideable but nothing to write home about.

Thursday morning the 13th bumps up to 4ft from the south, with clean offshore winds from the SSW. It’s still small, but that offshore flow will make it look better. The period is short at 7 seconds, so it’s a bit weak.

Friday morning the 14th is the first real standout. We’ve got 5ft of south swell with a clean moderate offshore wind from the S, period 8 seconds, and energy at 318. It’s right on the edge for beginners, but for the average surfer, it’s a fun, clean morning. The afternoon gets messy, so get in early.

Saturday morning the 15th drops to 4ft from the SSE, but the wind is still strong offshore, keeping it clean. The period is short again at 7 seconds, so it’s a bit weak.

Sunday the 16th brings size – 6ft from the SSE, period 7 seconds, and strong offshore winds. Energy is moderate at 334. This is getting punchy, but for the experienced crew, it’s a solid morning with clean conditions.

Monday the 17th is mixed. Morning has 5ft from the SE with a gentle offshore, but the period is only 6 seconds. The afternoon jumps to 6ft from the SE with a period of 8 seconds, energy 393, but the wind swings cross-offshore, making it lumpy.

Tuesday the 18th – the swell hits 8ft from the ESE, period 8 seconds, energy is strong at 619. This is expert territory. The wind is cross-offshore, so it’s not perfectly clean.

Wednesday the 19th is back to 5ft from the SE, with a gentle offshore in the morning. Period is 8 seconds, energy 397. It’s a decent morning.

Now, Thursday the 20th is the best day. Morning sees 6ft from the east, period 9 seconds, with a light cross-offshore breeze and energy at 604. The wind is light, the swell is solid, and the direction is perfect. The afternoon stays clean with 5ft and light winds. This is the day to call in sick. Crowds are likely, but it’s worth it.

Friday the 21st is a letdown. The swell drops to 5ft from the east, but the morning is glassy from the NNE. The period is 9 seconds, but energy is only 362. It’s a small, pretty morning.

From Saturday the 22nd through to Tuesday the 26th, things get grim. A run of onshore winds from the north and northwest, with swell up to 4ft but short period and poor conditions. There’s a gap of several days here with nothing worth paddling out for.

Wednesday the 26th afternoon sees a weird spike – 5ft from the north with a period of only 6 seconds, but the wind is light cross-offshore.

Finally, Thursday the 27th afternoon brings a surprise: 7ft from the south, period 7 seconds, with a light cross-offshore breeze and energy at 522. This is an expert-only wave at that size. It’s a long way off and less certain.

So, the standout is clearly Thursday the 20th. That’s the one to circle.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
1.1
S
7
1.2
SSE
8
1.4
SSE
8
1.5
S
8
1.5
S
8
1.4
SSE
7
1.2
SSE
7
0.4
ENE
9
1.5
SSE
7
1.7
SSE
7
1.6
SSE
7
1
ESE
6
1.4
SE
6
1.8
SE
8
2.4
ESE
8
2.3
ESE
8
2.1
ESE
8
1.5
E
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
83
85
83
107
187
257
265
309
188
147
29
200
285
223
64
157
364
680
613
480
262
Wind (km/h)
5
W
10
ENE
15
W
10
SSW
20
SE
15
SSW
20
S
25
SSE
15
SSW
25
S
25
SSE
20
S
25
S
25
SSE
15
S
20
SSE
20
ESE
20
SE
20
SE
20
SSE
15
S
Wind State
glassy
cross
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
8:00PM1.95m
8:22AM1.36m
8:43PM1.91m
9:04AM1.40m
9:22PM1.83m
9:44AM1.43m
9:59PM1.70m
10:24AM1.43m
10:33PM1.56m
11:04AM1.42m
11:04PM1.41m
11:47AM1.40m
11:37PM1.27m
Low Tide
1:22PM0.14m
2:34AM0.16m
2:09PM0.15m
3:12AM0.18m
2:53PM0.19m
3:48AM0.22m
3:36PM0.27m
4:21AM0.28m
4:18PM0.38m
4:52AM0.34m
5:01PM0.50m
5:22AM0.40m
5:48PM0.62m
clear
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:16
6:16
6:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:23
 mm
1
1
2
4
1
2
3
7
4
3
3
1
Temp °C
20
19
14
19
17
16
19
18
17
18
18
16
17
17
16
17
17
17
17
17
16
Feels °C
17
17
12
15
12
13
15
14
14
14
13
12
13
14
13
14
13
13
14
14
13
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 Rainbow Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Rainbow Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Rainbow Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rainbow Bay 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 (Rainbow Bay) 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 Rainbow Bay 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.

Rainbow Bay is 6 km (4 miles) from Banora Point. If you plan a holiday in Gold Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Banora Point. Banora Point has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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