Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 01 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 1 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, SSE swell with 170 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. 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 0.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Mon 7th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf 4AM (Mon 7th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 7th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty again. Let’s break it down in feet and miles per hour.

The forecast starts flat and pretty disappointing. From right now through the 9th of September, there’s no real swell to speak of. We’re talking ankle-to-knee high dribble with onshore winds or cross-off breezes on tiny waves. You’d be better off doing anything else. The 3rd of September has a 1.1m (4ft) wave but with a 5-second period and 25 km/h onshore wind – that’s a washing machine, not surf.

Then we finally get a pulse on Thursday the 10th of September. Morning session is looking glassy, wind almost nothing out of the north. The swell hits about 1.6m (5ft) from the SSE, period around 9 seconds. The combined energy is 406, which is moderate but feels solid in the water. It’s clean and the offshore wind direction works well for the point. A good warm-up.

Friday the 11th of September is the real standout. That morning brings a 2.4m (8ft) south swell with light offshore breezes. The energy reading is huge at 1714 – that’s some serious grunt. It’s a proper groundswell, period 9 seconds, so you’ll see good lines wrapping around the headland. This is expert territory at that size, no question. If you can handle it, this is the best wave of the whole outlook.

After that, there are a few more options. Saturday the 12th morning has 1.2m (4ft) from the south, clean, but not the same power. Sunday the 13th morning is glassy again with 1.7m (6ft) from the SSE, which will be fun but expect some company. By Tuesday the 15th, the swell drops in quality, shorter period and weird direction, so not worth planning around.

First week is a write-off. The 10th is a go. The 11th is the real deal.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
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
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
ENE
10
0.6
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.5
E
10
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
1.1
N
5
1.2
N
6
0.4
E
10
0.4
E
9
0.4
E
9
0.6
S
10
1
N
5
1.3
N
6
0.3
E
10
0.4
E
10
0.4
SE
14
0.9
SSE
10
0.7
S
10
0.7
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
102
71
70
57
45
45
59
85
33
28
27
71
49
111
17
31
54
170
94
112
Wind (km/h)
15
NNE
15
NW
15
NNW
15
N
15
NW
20
NNW
25
N
10
NW
10
SE
10
ENE
5
WSW
10
N
25
N
15
NW
10
ESE
20
SE
15
SSE
10
SE
15
NNE
10
NNW
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
10:41PM1.41m
11:20AM1.50m
11:28PM1.27m
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
Low Tide
4:39PM0.36m
4:53AM0.26m
5:35PM0.42m
5:38AM0.30m
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
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
5:58
5:56
5:56
5:54
5:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:31
5:31
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:34
 mm
Temp °C
19
18
23
20
18
27
24
21
23
21
20
25
23
24
23
21
19
21
21
19
Feels °C
17
16
19
18
15
23
20
19
23
20
20
21
20
21
22
20
19
22
21
20
  • 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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