
Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, ESE swell with 1,859 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 7s period. 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 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m lookin’ at Rainbow Bay over the next couple weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you—there’s not much to get excited about here for a while. The first several days, from Monday the 13th through Wednesday the 15th, there’s barely a bump. Swells are tiny, mostly under 2 feet, and while some of those mornings are glassy, the energy just isn’t there. The combined swell energy is weak, around 77 or less, so you’re basically looking at flat, clean water. Perfect for a paddle, not so much for a wave.
Then we hit Thursday the 16th, and things change—big time. The swell jumps to 8 feet from the SSE, but with a short period of 8 seconds. That’s a lot of water moving fast, and the combined energy is strong at 956. But here’s the catch: it’s coming with rain showers and a fresh offshore wind from the south at 30 km/h. That wind will keep it clean, but the size and punch make this one for experienced surfers only. Beginners, stay on the sand. The conditions are marginal, with questionable tide, so it’s not a classic day, but for a big, raw wave, it’s got something.
Friday the 17th afternoon is honestly the standout of the whole run. Swell drops just a hair to 8 feet from the SE, period still short at 8 seconds, but the wind turns offshore again with that moderate breeze from the SSE at 25 km/h. The combined energy is solid at 708. If you’re an expert and you don’t mind some rain showers, that afternoon window looks like the best shot. It’s a point break, sheltered from the worst, and that offshore wind will peel it up nice. Crowds are often here, so expect company.
Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th stay big—8 feet to 10 feet—but winds are cross-offshore, and the energy gets massive on Sunday, hitting 1561. That’s a lot of juice. Problem is, the period is still short (8-9 seconds) and conditions are marginal. This is all for experts, and even then, it’s rough around the edges.
From Monday the 20th onward, the swell slowly backs off. By Wednesday the 22nd, we’re down to 4 feet with a gentle offshore breeze and combined energy around 225. It’s surfable, but ordinary. The water temp sits at 69°F, which is about average for this time of year—no surprises there.
Overall, if you’re after the one true standout, point your board at Friday afternoon, July 17th. That’s your best blend of size, clean wind, and a bit of consistency for the experienced crew. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | SE 9 | S 8 | SSW 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
55 | 38 | 21 | 40 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 952 | 952 | 763 | 611 | 629 | 676 | 664 | 616 | 732 | 1859 | 1535 | 1441 | 1433 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:29PM1.97m | 7:49AM1.24m | 8:17PM2.01m | 8:40AM1.27m | 9:03PM2.00m | 9:27AM1.29m | 9:47PM1.94m | 10:12AM1.30m | 10:28PM1.83m | 10:57AM1.31m | 11:07PM1.70m | 11:42AM1.32m | 11:45PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:40PM0.17m | 2:10AM0.22m | 1:31PM0.16m | 2:59AM0.20m | 2:20PM0.18m | 3:43AM0.20m | 3:07PM0.23m | 4:25AM0.24m | 3:53PM0.31m | 5:04AM0.30m | 4:38PM0.41m | 5:41AM0.36m | 5:26PM0.52m | ||||||||
6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | SE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | ESE 10 | S 5 | ESE 9 | E 9 | — | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | S 17 | — | S 11 | S 22 | S 21 | SE 19 | SE 19 | SE 18 |
55 | 38 | 21 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 7 | — | 4 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 23 | — | 21 | 9 | 34 | 15 | 14 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | S 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 10 | SE 7 | N 10 | — | — | — | S 18 | NNE 8 | NE 9 | — | — | S 22 | E 18 | E 17 | S 19 | S 18 |
22 | 19 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 6 | 7 | 3 | — | — | 9 | 6 | 6 | 29 | 55 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | S 8 | S 8 | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | S 17 | — | — | E 20 | — | E 16 | S 18 | S 17 |
— | 20 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | 7 | — | 5 | 6 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | — | — | SSW 8 | — | — | S 4 | S 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 |
1 | — | — | 40 | — | — | 18 | 169 | 952 | 952 | 763 | 611 | 629 | 676 | 664 | 616 | 732 | 1859 | 1535 | 1441 | 1433 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 176 | 1 | 1 | 352 | 326 | 324 | 324 | 0 | 2 | 41 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 142 | 392 | 142 | 457 | 41 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










