Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 03 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
20.8°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 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, S swell with 946 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) 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 1.5m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 7th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 8s
Best Surf10AM (Tue 8th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 8s
Most Powerful10AM (Tue 8th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

Listen up, crew, Rusty here with the lowdown on Rainbow Bay for the next couple of weeks.

The start of this run is a total bust. Water temp is about average, but the surf is flat as a pancake. We’re looking at a real dry spell until Monday the 7th, when you might finally find a dribbly 0.7m wave with a long 11-second period, but the energy’s weak at just 197. Barely worth waxing up for.

The first real highlight comes Tuesday the 8th. A beefy 2.5m south swell rolls in with a short 8-second period, but it’s got some grunt with a combined energy of 973. Best part? The wind is straight offshore from the south, keeping it clean. This is proper stuff, but make no mistake, at 2.5m, it’s experts only – beginners, stay on the sand. And expect it to be busy, because it can get crowded there.

Then, Wednesday the 9th morning is the real gem of the week. It’s a much friendlier 1.2m swell from the SSE, but the period stretches to 9 seconds, making it feel nice and lined up. Combined energy is a solid 420. And the winds? Dead calm. Glassy smooth. That’s the moment you want to be in the water.

After that, the whole thing fades out again. From the 13th onward, we’re back to tiny dribble – average wave heights around 0.7m to 1.1m, with energy readings barely scraping 100 or less. The wind might be clean, but there’s just no swell. By the 14th, you’re looking at combined energy in the double digits, so don't bother.

Bottom line: The whole first week is a write-off. The score is Tuesday the 8th morning for powerful, expert-only surf, and Wednesday the 9th morning for the clean, glassy fun waves.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
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
1
0
0
2
1
2
2
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)
0.5
E
9
1.3
N
5
1.3
N
6
0.4
E
10
0.4
E
9
0.4
E
9
0.6
SSE
10
0.5
S
9
1.2
N
6
1.2
N
6
0.3
E
10
0.4
SSE
9
0.7
SSE
11
0.8
SSE
10
0.7
S
10
2.5
S
8
2.3
SSE
8
2
SSE
9
1.2
SE
9
1.5
SSE
9
1.5
SSE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
45
90
108
33
28
27
78
41
104
98
17
28
105
131
88
946
722
637
251
346
309
Wind (km/h)
20
NNW
25
N
10
WNW
15
SE
10
E
5
SW
5
NNE
20
N
15
NNW
15
NW
20
SE
15
S
10
ESE
15
NE
10
W
20
SSE
20
SSE
10
S
5
SSE
15
ENE
20
SSE
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-on
off
High Tide
12:19PM1.49m
00:27AM1.14m
1:29PM1.49m
1:44AM1.05m
2:50PM1.54m
3:16AM1.03m
4:06PM1.62m
4:37AM1.09m
5:11PM1.72m
5:40AM1.20m
6:05PM1.80m
6:31AM1.32m
6:53PM1.84m
Low Tide
6:46PM0.49m
6:33AM0.35m
8:15PM0.52m
7:45AM0.38m
9:46PM0.47m
9:06AM0.38m
10:58PM0.39m
10:22AM0.33m
11:54PM0.29m
11:26AM0.26m
00:41AM0.22m
12:20PM0.20m
1:21AM0.18m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
5:56
5:56
5:54
5:54
5:52
5:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:34
5:34
5:35
 mm
4
Temp °C
27
23
21
22
21
20
23
22
22
28
21
18
19
19
18
19
20
17
20
19
19
Feels °C
23
19
20
21
20
20
21
20
20
25
20
15
19
17
18
16
17
16
19
17
18
  • 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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