Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, ESE swell with 273 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period with SE 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rainbow Bay in the next 16 days are 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s see what Rainbow Bay’s got for the next couple weeks.
Honestly, it’s a pretty grim start. From Thursday the 20th of August all the way through to the end of the month, there’s hardly anything worth getting wet for. The swell is tiny, the period is short, and the wind is all over the place – onshore, cross-on, you name it. It’s a solid 10-day stretch of flat, messy conditions.
The first little pulse of hope shows up on Saturday the 29th of August morning. We’re looking at 4ft of swell from the ENE with a 9-second period, and a clean cross-off breeze from the SSE. The combined energy is 192 (moderate). It’s surfable, but you wouldn’t call it a standout.
The real one to circle on the calendar is Wednesday the 2nd of September. That morning, a proper 5ft groundswell from the E hits with a 10-second period, and the wind is a clean offshore from the SSE at 15 mph. The combined energy jumps to 582 (strong to very strong wave energy). This is a classic point-break day – clean, offshore, and with some push. The 5ft is a bit much for beginners, but for everyone else, this is the session. The water temp is about 69°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.
The afternoon of the 2nd still has decent swell, around 5ft, with the period bumping up to 11 seconds, but the wind goes cross-off, so it’s not as glassy. Still a good day.
After that, the swell fades. Thursday the 3rd of September morning has a clean 5ft from the E, 10-second period, but the wind is just a light cross-shore, so it’s only average.
So, the play is clear: hold out for Wednesday the 2nd of September. The rest of the forecast is a whole lot of nothing much.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 318 | 273 | 82 | 56 | 49 | 66 | 70 | 72 | 81 | 89 | 81 | 61 | 43 | 72 | 96 | 118 | 99 | 87 | 77 | 101 | 61 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 1:39PM1.36m | 1:05AM1.04m | 2:53PM1.38m | 2:27AM0.98m | 4:06PM1.44m | 4:06AM0.98m | 5:05PM1.53m | 5:19AM1.04m | 5:52PM1.62m | 6:12AM1.13m | 6:33PM1.69m | 6:54AM1.21m | 7:10PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:12PM0.80m | 7:27AM0.55m | 9:52PM0.79m | 8:38AM0.57m | 11:07PM0.72m | 9:53AM0.56m | 11:58PM0.62m | 10:57AM0.52m | 00:38AM0.52m | 11:49AM0.47m | 1:12AM0.43m | 12:34PM0.41m | 1:44AM0.36m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | |  |  | | | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 7 |
| kJ | 318 | 273 | 82 | 56 | 49 | 66 | 70 | 72 | 81 | 89 | 81 | 61 | 43 | 72 | 96 | 118 | 99 | 87 | 77 | 101 | 61 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | — | NE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | NE 10 | S 5 | NE 7 | SSE 6 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | NNE 8 |
| kJ | 24 | — | 44 | 42 | 38 | 27 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 49 | 49 | 31 | 31 | 17 | 16 | 37 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | E 13 | E 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | NE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SE 6 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | NNE 7 | SE 16 | SE 16 | S 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 60 | 35 | 29 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 15 | 21 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 13 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | — | NNE 3 | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 2 | N 4 | N 4 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 14 | 5 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 203 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 5 | 509 | 40 | 1 | 1 | 41 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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