Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Issued: 9 am 06 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
21.5° C

Normal for this time of year

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 6 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with 3,063 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s 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 (Jul 06) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 10) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Mon 6th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Best Surf 4PM (Tue 7th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 1AM (Wed 8th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Rainbow Bay.

This is a solid run of swell, but it’s not for the faint of heart. The first few days are packing some serious punch, and you’ll want your wetsuit and your wits about you. The water temp is sitting at 71°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The action kicks off Monday, July 6th, with a solid 10ft swell out of the SSE. The wind is blowing offshore from the south at 19 mph, which will keep things clean, but this is a big, powerful groundswell with a period of 8 to 9 seconds. The combined energy is massive (1570-1676), and at 10ft, this is strictly for the experienced crew. Beginners, stay on the sand for this one.

Tuesday, July 7th, is where it starts to get really interesting. The swell holds at 10ft from the SSE, but the period jumps to 10 seconds, and the energy is pumping (1761-2085). The wind stays offshore, moderate at 16 mph. This is excellent surf for those who know what they’re doing. The standout here is Tuesday afternoon, when the forecast is calling for "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers."

Wednesday, July 8th, is the absolute peak of this run. The swell switches slightly to the SE, still 10ft, but the period extends to 11 seconds. This is proper groundswell, and the energy readings are through the roof (2431). The wind is still offshore and moderate. This is the best on offer. It’s big, it’s powerful, and it’s clean. Only experts need apply.

Thursday, July 9th, the swell backs off a touch to 8ft in the morning, dropping to 8ft by the afternoon. The wind shifts a bit to the SSW, but remains offshore and lighter at 12 mph. The energy is still high (2482 in the morning). Another excellent day for the experienced surfer.

Things start to settle down through Friday and Saturday, July 10th and 11th, with the swell dropping from 7ft to 5ft. The wind stays light and offshore, and the quality is still good, but it’s not the same beast as the midweek. Crowds are likely here at Rainbow Bay, so get in early.

Then we hit a flat spell. From Sunday, July 12th, right through to Wednesday, July 15th, the swell drops to under 4ft, and the wind turns onshore or cross-shore. The energy is weak (under 400). It’s a big gap of poor conditions, nothing to get excited about.

Thursday, July 16th, shows a small pulse of 2ft to 3ft, but it’s accompanied by a fresh 16 mph offshore wind. It’s clean, but tiny.

Now, late in the window, Friday, July 17th, a new pulse arrives. The swell jumps to 8ft-10ft from the SSE, with a period of 10 seconds. The energy is back in the thousands (1406-2102). However, the wind is a cross-offshore from the SSE at 22-25 mph, which is strong. The forecast calls it "poor surf conditions" and "marginal." The waves will be there, but the wind is going to make it a messy, challenging session. This is a promising long-range signal, but it’s a less certain bet with the strong wind.

Saturday, July 18th, the swell is still 10ft from the S, with a long 12-second period and massive energy (3126). The wind is still cross-offshore. This is a massive, powerful, and unruly swell. For the experts only, and even then, it’s going to be a battle.

The run fades out from Sunday, July 19th, through to Tuesday, July 22nd, with the swell dropping below 5ft and the winds turning onshore. The surf goes back to being ordinary.

So, the best of the bunch is Wednesday, July 8th. That’s the day to clear your calendar. Tuesday afternoon is a close second. The late pulse on the 17th and 18th is worth watching, but the wind is a major concern.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
0
0
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)
3
SSE
8
3
SSE
9
3
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
11
3
SE
11
3
SE
11
3
SSE
11
2.5
SSE
10
2.3
SE
10
2.1
SE
10
2
SSE
10
2
SE
10
1.8
SE
10
1.6
SE
10
1.3
SSE
9
1.3
ESE
11
1.2
SE
11
1.1
SE
11
0.9
SE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1397
1534
1672
1676
2039
3063
2373
2129
2069
1306
1039
815
788
800
689
471
282
379
341
263
139
Wind (km/h)
30
S
30
S
20
S
25
S
25
S
20
S
25
S
25
S
15
SSW
20
SSW
20
S
15
SSW
20
S
20
S
10
SSW
5
S
10
E
10
WNW
15
WNW
10
NNW
10
W
Wind State
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross
High Tide
12:28PM1.28m
00:24AM1.53m
1:25PM1.33m
1:18AM1.42m
2:28PM1.41m
2:21AM1.31m
3:36PM1.51m
3:33AM1.23m
4:41PM1.63m
4:46AM1.19m
5:41PM1.76m
5:54AM1.19m
6:37PM1.88m
Low Tide
6:07PM0.60m
7:05AM0.39m
7:15PM0.62m
7:54AM0.36m
8:35PM0.62m
8:50AM0.33m
9:58PM0.57m
9:49AM0.29m
11:14PM0.48m
10:49AM0.25m
00:20AM0.38m
11:46AM0.21m
1:18AM0.29m
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:37
6:37
6:37
6:37
6:37
6:37
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:01
5:02
5:02
5:04
5:04
5:05
5:05
 mm
1
2
1
1
1
1
Temp °C
16
16
16
17
17
16
17
18
16
16
17
15
17
17
15
17
17
16
21
21
17
Feels °C
10
10
11
12
12
11
12
13
13
12
13
11
13
13
13
15
16
14
17
18
14
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
ESE
13
0.6
ESE
13
0.5
E
12
0.5
E
12
0.4
ESE
12
0.4
SE
15
2.5
SE
11
2.3
SSE
10
0.1
S
23
2.1
SE
10
2
SSE
10
2
SE
10
1.8
SE
10
1.6
SE
10
1.3
SSE
9
1.3
ESE
11
1.2
SE
11
1.1
SE
11
0.9
SE
10
Energy kJ
170
137
78
77
46
58
1528
1176
11
815
788
800
689
471
282
379
341
263
139
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
9
0.1
NE
9
0.1
S
20
0.6
SE
14
0.5
ESE
14
0.9
ESE
12
0.9
SSE
9
0.5
S
9
0.5
S
9
0.4
SSE
8
Energy kJ
3
3
8
130
104
233
119
40
39
23
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
7
0.1
S
22
0.1
S
21
0.1
S
19
Energy kJ
2
9
9
7
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SSE
8
3
SSE
9
3
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
11
3
SE
11
3
SE
11
3
SSE
11
2.5
SSE
10
2.3
SE
10
1.1
S
5
0.4
NW
3
0.5
NNW
3
0.6
N
4
Energy kJ
1397
1534
1672
1676
2039
3063
2373
2129
2069
1306
1039
64
2
6
11
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
Distance (km)
847
776
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
4
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
4
5
4
5
7
5
5
4
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
4
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
7
8
7
5
5
9
6
9
9
5
6
5
4
5
5
4
5
4
4
5
  • 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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