Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks.

We’re looking at a slow start, so don’t rush to get the board out. The first surfable waves show up on Thursday 27th August, but it’s nothing flash. After that, there’s a long dry spell from around the 1st September through to the 9th, where you’re better off doing something else.

The real action is in the second week, specifically Thursday 10th September and Friday 11th September. Those are the days to aim for.

Rainbow Bay (point)
The water temp is 69°F, which is about average for this time of year.

The first few days are pretty ordinary. Thursday 27th August morning has a 5ft swell from the south, with a short 7-second period, and a moderate offshore breeze. It’s surfable, but nothing special. The combined energy is weak (308). The afternoon is worse. Friday 28th August morning is a bit better – the swell drops to 5ft from the SSE, but the wind goes glassy. The energy is moderate (324). Saturday 29th August has a 4ft SSE swell, 10-second period, and a clean morning with a light offshore. The afternoon brings rain and a moderate breeze.

Sunday 30th August is the first hint of something good. The morning shows a 6ft SSE swell, 9-second period, and a moderate offshore. The combined energy jumps to 605 (moderate), and the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” The afternoon is still clean but smaller. Monday 31st August is a step back to ordinary with a 5ft swell and energy back to 372. The afternoon is a dud with a tiny 2ft wave.

From Tuesday 1st September through to Wednesday 9th September, it’s bleak. The swell drops right off, mostly under 3ft, and the winds are onshore or cross-onshore from the north. The energy readings are all weak (e.g., 51, 73, 69). There’s a tiny blip on Monday 7th September morning with a 2ft east swell and a light offshore, but it’s still only “surfable but very ordinary.” This is a long gap with no quality.

Now for the good stuff. Thursday 10th September is the first standout. The morning delivers a 7ft SSE swell, 9-second period, and a solid offshore breeze. The combined energy is a strong 1003. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” The afternoon is still clean but a bit smaller.

The absolute best is Friday 11th September. The morning shows a 6ft swell from the SE, but the period is a very long 15 seconds (groundswell). The combined energy is a massive 2092 (very strong). The wind is offshore and conditions are “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” Because of the long period, a point break like Rainbow Bay is the best spot for it. The afternoon has a bigger 7ft swell from the SSE, but the period drops to 10 seconds, and the energy is still very strong at 1757. The wind goes cross-off, so it’s still clean.

Bottom line: The first week is a washout. The best waves are on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th September. Friday 11th September morning is the absolute pick – a long-period groundswell, solid size, and offshore wind. That’s the one to get in the water for. The water is a normal temperature, and the conditions for that window are about as good as it gets.

Rusty, signing off.

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