Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 30 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
20.8° C
0.0° 

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 30 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 741 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period with S 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s is also forecast. 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 2.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 10PM. 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Thu 30th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 6s
Best Surf 7AM (Fri 31st Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s
Most Powerful10PM (Sat 1st Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Rainbow Bay.

The 16-day window starts off pretty flat for a few days, but we’ve got a solid run of decent surf building from the 31st of July into the first week of August. The standout has to be the Sunday the 2nd of August: we’re looking at a clean 5ft swell from the SSE, with a 9-second period pushing moderate wave energy (588) in the morning. The wind is light offshore from the south, so the bay will be clean and glassy early. That’s the pick of the week.

The water temperature is sitting at 69°, which is right on the money for the time of year – no surprises there.

The best stretch kicks off on the morning of Friday the 31st of July. The swell builds to 5ft from the SSE, with a 9-second period and moderate energy (403). The wind is offshore and moderate, so expect clean, fun waves. The afternoon drops off fast, so get out early.

Saturday the 1st of August is surfable but ordinary – the 4ft to 5ft SSE swell is there, but the rain showers and moderate wind keep it from being really clean. Not a write-off, but not a standout.

Sunday the 2nd of August is the real gem. The morning is clear, SSE swell at 5ft, 9-second period, and light offshore wind. The combined energy climbs to 588 in the morning and 660 in the afternoon. This is the best day of the entire window. The afternoon gets a bit of rain, but the wind turns cross-off and the waves stay clean.

Monday the 3rd of August keeps the run going. The swell bumps up to 5ft from the SE, with a 10-second period and strong energy (592). The wind is light offshore, so it’s clean. The afternoon drops to 5ft, still with a good 10-second period and moderate energy (473). The wind turns cross-off, but it’s still clean.

After Monday, the surf drops off quickly. Tuesday the 4th of August is small and choppy, with poor conditions. The rest of the week into early August is mostly small, weak, and often choppy or cross-onshore. There’s a brief glimmer of glassy conditions on the morning of Wednesday the 5th of August, but the swell is only 3ft from the east, so it’s ordinary.

The second week of August looks shaky. The swell direction swings more easterly, and the period gets longer (11-13 seconds) but the energy is moderate and the winds are mostly cross or onshore. There’s a chance of a clean session on the morning of Friday the 14th of August, with a glassy 3ft ESE swell at 11 seconds, but it’s nothing special. The long period and easterly direction might make the waves a bit too straight for the bay, so it’s not a guarantee.

Crowds are likely at Rainbow Bay, especially on the good days. It’s a popular spot, but the decent swell and clean conditions will be worth the company.

The best surf is definitely the morning of Sunday the 2nd of August. The overall pattern is a short burst of quality from the 31st of July to the 3rd of August, then a long flat spell with only small, ordinary waves.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
2
0
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ENE
7
1.3
S
6
0.8
SSE
11
1.4
SSE
9
0.5
E
7
1.6
SSE
7
1.3
SSE
7
1.6
SSE
7
1.7
SSE
10
1.4
SSE
9
1.4
SSE
9
1.4
SSE
10
1.6
SE
10
1.5
SE
10
1.1
SE
10
0.9
SE
9
0.8
SE
8
0.6
ESE
8
0.9
E
10
0.9
E
10
0.8
E
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
31
126
135
355
23
219
157
236
551
340
320
371
523
450
230
129
80
48
158
145
86
Wind (km/h)
15
S
25
SSE
15
SSW
20
S
25
SSE
15
SSW
20
S
20
S
15
SE
15
S
15
SSE
5
SSE
10
SSE
10
ESE
10
WNW
5
NW
15
NNE
15
NW
0
ESE
10
E
10
SW
Wind State
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-off
High Tide
8:49PM1.82m
9:10AM1.27m
9:22PM1.78m
9:45AM1.30m
9:55PM1.72m
10:22AM1.33m
10:29PM1.64m
11:03AM1.35m
11:08PM1.54m
11:50AM1.37m
11:52PM1.41m
12:47PM1.40m
00:46AM1.28m
Low Tide
2:11PM0.38m
3:26AM0.35m
2:48PM0.38m
3:56AM0.33m
3:26PM0.39m
4:26AM0.32m
4:07PM0.41m
4:58AM0.31m
4:52PM0.44m
5:35AM0.31m
5:47PM0.49m
6:18AM0.31m
6:54PM0.54m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:30
6:28
6:28
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:16
 mm
2
1
2
3
2
1
Temp °C
19
17
15
18
17
16
16
17
17
17
17
16
17
17
16
19
18
17
18
18
17
Feels °C
15
13
12
13
12
12
12
13
13
14
15
15
15
16
16
17
16
15
15
16
16
  • 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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