Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down what’s on the cards for Rainbow Bay.

This is a sheltered point break, so it needs the right direction to work. Over the next 16 days, we’ve got a slow start, but there’s some real promise if you’re patient.

Water temp is about 70°, which is just about average for the time of year, so nothing unusual.

The first real action kicks off Tuesday afternoon, the 21st of July. We’ve got a 7ft east swell pushing through with a 9-second period, and the energy is moderate at 784. It’s a bit cross-off with a SSE wind at 9 mph, but it’s clean enough to get out. A solid session for a Tuesday arvo.

Wednesday morning, the 22nd, is the standout of the early period. The swell drops to 5ft from the east, but the period stretches to 10 seconds, and the wind goes glassy from the SSW at just 3 mph. Wave energy is a moderate 462, and the conditions are about as good as it gets for a point break. This is the one to circle—clean, glassy, and the swell direction is right on the money. Crowds are often here, so expect a few heads, but it’ll be worth it.

Thursday morning, the 23rd, is glassy again with a 4ft east swell at 8 seconds, but it’s pretty ordinary. The energy’s down to 226, and it’s just not the same quality. The afternoon picks up a cross-shore wind, so it’s not great.

Friday the 24th has a morning offshore wind, but the swell is only 3ft—tiny. The afternoon though, things get punchy: a 7ft SSE swell at 8 seconds, energy jumps to 610, and it’s clean offshore. That’s a lot of power for a point, and the period is short, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but for the bigger wave crew, it’s a go.

Saturday morning, the 25th, is glassy with a 6ft SSE swell at 10 seconds, energy at 677. That’s another solid morning, clean and powerful. The afternoon gets onshore, so don’t sleep in.

Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th are smaller, with 4ft and 3ft swells, mostly offshore winds, but nothing to write home about—just surfable.

The next real standout is Friday the 31st of July. Morning brings a 6ft SSE swell at 10 seconds, energy 674, and it’s clean offshore. The afternoon holds at 6ft with the same energy. This is a proper run of good surf, with clean conditions and solid power.

Then into Saturday, the 1st of August, we get a 4ft southeast swell with a very long 15-second period, energy at 914. That’s a groundswell, and for a point break like Rainbow Bay, that’s a dream. The wind is offshore from the SSW at 12 mph, so it’s clean. The long period means the waves will have shape, power, and long gaps between sets, making the paddle out easier. This is the best of the whole forecast. The afternoon is a bit more marginal with the wind freshening, but the morning is the pick.

After that, the swell fades through the first week of August, with smaller 3ft to 4ft swells and offshore winds, but nothing to get excited about. The last few days show some cross-onshore winds and small waves, so it’s really a waiting game until the next proper swell.

Overall, the best on offer is Wednesday morning the 22nd for glassy perfection, and Saturday morning the 1st of August for the long-period groundswell. Don’t miss those.

Rusty.

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