Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s shaping up for Rainbow Bay. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s a solid pulse of energy coming through mid-week that’s worth getting excited about.

The first couple of days are pretty ordinary. Tuesday morning the 8th has some shoulder-high 4ft swell from the south, but it’s blowing a fresh 16 mph southerly, so it’s messy. The water temperature is sitting at 70°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year – nothing unusual there. The swell energy is weak (303), so it’s not really worth the paddle. Tuesday afternoon picks up a bit in size to 6ft, but the period drops to 7 seconds and the wind is still strong, so it’s a write-off.

Wednesday the 9th sees a slight improvement. Morning gets a clean 5ft from the SSE with a light 3 mph cross-offshore breeze, making it look okay. The swell period is a moderate 9 seconds, and the energy is still modest (352). Afternoon turns cross-on and the quality drops off.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 10th is a standout. The swell pumps up to 12ft from the SSE, with a 9-second period. That’s a solid, powerful swell – the combined energy is a massive 1583, so you’ll feel the juice. The wind is a fresh 22 mph offshore, keeping it clean. But listen, at 12ft, this is only for experienced surfers. Rainbow Bay is a sheltered point, so it’ll handle the size, but beginners should sit this one out. The afternoon holds at 10ft and still clean with offshore wind.

Friday the 11th is another cracker. Morning brings 8ft from the SSE with 16 mph offshore wind. The period is 9 seconds, energy is 1084 – strong, punchy waves. This is the best of the whole run. The afternoon drops to a cross-offshore breeze, but the swell sticks around at 8ft from the SE, though the period shortens to 8 seconds.

Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th see the swell steadily drop from 7ft down to 3ft, with cross-offshore winds. It’s cleaner but the energy fades fast. By Monday the 14th, the swell is barely 2ft, and the energy is down to 111 – really just small, weak waves.

The following week, from the 15th onward, it’s pretty flat. A few days of tiny, short-period swell under 3ft with poor wind directions. There’s a little bump on the morning of the 16th with 2ft from the south, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph, so it’s not inviting. Late on the 16th, the swell jumps to 7ft from the SSE, but the period is only 7 seconds and the wind is cross-offshore, making it lumpy.

The 17th and 18th are small again, with the 18th having onshore winds from the north. The 19th is dead flat with onshore breeze. From the 20th to the 23rd, we see a tiny, consistent 4ft to 4ft swell from the east-northeast, but the period is short (7-8 seconds) and the wind is mostly cross or cross-offshore. It’s surfable but very ordinary.

So, if you’re looking for the best, Thursday morning the 10th and Friday morning the 11th are your windows. Big, clean, offshore conditions at Rainbow Bay, but only for the crew who can handle solid waves. The rest of the period is a lot of small, weak surf with a few average days mixed in.

Rusty.

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