Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 09 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
20.3° C
0.5° 

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 9 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, S swell with 753 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with SSE 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 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. 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 2.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Thu 13th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 8s
Best Surf10AM (Fri 14th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 9s
Most Powerful10AM (Fri 14th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Rainbow Bay over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’re in a bit of a flat spell. The first few days – Sunday the 9th through to Wednesday the 12th – are pretty much a write-off. You’ve got tiny, weak waves and the wind is either on it or cross-onshore, keeping things messy. Not worth paddling out for. The combined energy is weak, hanging around the 70s to low 200s.

Things start to look a little more interesting from Thursday the 13th. The morning goes glassy with a light offshore breeze, but the swell is only 2ft from the east with a 9-second period. It’s clean but small. The afternoon picks up a touch with a 3ft south-southeast swell, but the wind swings to a 15 mph cross-offshore, which is still clean enough but a bit strong.

Now, Friday the 14th is where the first real pulse shows up. We get a solid 7ft swell from the south, with a period of 9 seconds, and a clean moderate offshore wind out of the south at 12 mph. The combined energy jumps to 1326, which is strong. The morning session looks excellent – the south swell direction is right in the pocket for the point, and offshore wind will have it peeling nicely. The afternoon drops off a bit to 6ft and a cross-offshore breeze, but still rideable.

Saturday the 15th backs off to 4ft from the south-southeast, but we still have clean offshore winds. It’s ordinary but surfable. Sunday the 16th is similar, with the swell dropping to 3ft by the afternoon and the wind staying offshore. It’s small and clean, but not a standout.

We then hit a bit of a lull through Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th, with some rain and stormy conditions. The swell builds again on Tuesday afternoon, hitting 8ft from the east-southeast, but the wind is cross-offshore and the conditions are described as marginal. The energy is strong again at 1321, but the quality isn’t there for a clean ride.

The real standout window opens up from Wednesday the 19th through to Friday the 21st. Wednesday morning brings 5ft from the east with a moderate offshore wind – clean and good. By Thursday the 20th, we’ve got an 8ft east swell with a 10-second period, offshore wind at 12 mph, and combined energy over 1200. That’s proper groundswell, and with the point setup, it’ll handle the longer period well. The waves will have shape and power. Friday the 21st is a special one – glassy conditions in the morning, with a 7ft east swell and a 10-second period. The combined energy is 941, which is moderate to strong. That’s the pick of the whole run: clean, lined-up, and powerful. The afternoon gets a bit of a cross-onshore bump, so get out early.

Saturday the 22nd still has size – 8ft east swell with an 11-second period – and a clean cross-offshore breeze in the morning. The energy is high at 1270. The afternoon gets choppy with a strong cross-onshore, so again, mornings are your friend.

From Sunday the 23rd onward, the swell drops back to 7ft and smaller, with cross-shore or cross-onshore winds. It’s still got some size, but the wind kills the quality. Monday the 24th is similar – 6ft to 6ft, cross-shore breeze, and a bit of chop.

So, the bottom line: the first week is mostly a dud. The real action kicks off on Friday the 14th with a good south swell, but the absolute standout is Friday the 21st – glassy morning, 7ft east swell at 10 seconds, clean offshore wind. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. Thursday the 20th is a close second, with similar size and clean offshore wind. Rainbow Bay is a point break, sheltered from the south-east, so these east swells with a south wind are right in its wheelhouse. Keep in mind that crowds are often an issue here, but if you’re there at dawn on the 21st, you’ll have it to yourself for a bit.

Water temp is around 69°, which is about normal for this time of year – nothing out of the ordinary there.

Stay frothy,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Mon morning, calm by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
E
9
1
E
9
1
E
9
1.8
N
6
0.8
E
9
0.8
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.6
E
9
1
SSE
8
1.7
SSE
9
2.2
S
9
1.8
SSE
9
1.4
SSE
8
1.3
SSE
8
1.1
SSE
8
1.3
SSE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
185
146
146
232
96
99
78
78
87
83
83
81
60
130
463
753
521
256
217
161
191
Wind (km/h)
10
N
20
N
20
NNW
30
NNW
20
W
10
WNW
5
WNW
10
ENE
10
WSW
10
WNW
5
N
10
WSW
5
S
25
SE
15
SSW
20
S
25
SSE
15
S
15
S
20
SSE
20
S
Wind State
on
on
on
on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
High Tide
5:27PM1.74m
5:48AM1.14m
6:24PM1.85m
6:46AM1.21m
7:14PM1.92m
7:36AM1.29m
8:00PM1.95m
8:22AM1.36m
8:43PM1.91m
9:04AM1.40m
9:22PM1.83m
9:44AM1.43m
9:59PM1.70m
Low Tide
10:32AM0.27m
00:12AM0.33m
11:35AM0.22m
1:05AM0.24m
12:31PM0.17m
1:51AM0.18m
1:22PM0.14m
2:34AM0.16m
2:09PM0.15m
3:12AM0.18m
2:53PM0.19m
3:48AM0.22m
3:36PM0.27m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
 mm
1
1
2
1
Temp °C
19
19
18
21
17
13
20
19
16
22
22
17
18
17
16
18
18
16
18
17
16
Feels °C
16
16
15
18
14
10
17
16
14
19
20
13
13
12
13
14
14
13
15
14
12
  • 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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