Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Issued: 9 am 07 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
21.4° 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 7 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SSE swell with 3,074 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s 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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s. 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 12s 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 0.7m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Tue 7th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Best Surf 7PM (Tue 7th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 1AM (Wed 8th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright, let’s have a look at what’s brewing for Rainbow Bay. This is a classic point break setup, sheltered from a lot of the junk, and it’s got a solid run of swell lined up. The water’s sitting at 71°, pretty much average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

We’re kicking off Tuesday, July 7th, and it’s already pumping. Solid 10ft swell pushing in from the SSE with a 10-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy – you can feel the weight in it. The combined energy reading of 1880 (moderate to strong) backs that up. The wind is howling from the south at 16 mph, but because it’s offshore for this spot, the waves are going to be clean, well-shaped, and offering plenty of power. This is serious surf – over 8ft, so this is for experienced surfers only. That Tuesday afternoon gets even a little more energy at 2095, and it stays excellent.

Wednesday, July 8th, keeps the good times rolling. Morning is clear with that same 10ft swell, period pushing up to 11 seconds, and the energy is still high at 2269. The south wind holds at 16 mph offshore, so it’s still clean and powerful. The afternoon backs off a fraction to 10ft from the SE, still plenty of juice, but the score dips a little, maybe a tide thing.

Thursday, July 9th, is another standout. The swell eases to 8ft, but the period holds at 11 seconds from the SSE, and the combined energy jumps to 2794 (strong). Wind is a bit lighter at 12 mph, still offshore, and the morning session is going to be excellent for experienced crew. The afternoon sees the swell drop to 8ft, still very good.

Friday, July 10th, is more of the same good stuff. 8ft in the morning from the SSE, 10-second period, energy at 1794, with that consistent 12 mph offshore wind. The afternoon is 7ft from the SSE, 11-second period, still clean and rewarding.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Saturday, July 11th, the swell drops a fair bit to 5ft from the SE, but wind goes to zero – glassy conditions. That’s a gem right there. It’s going to be clean as a whistle, super fun for intermediate and above on the point. The energy is down to 566 (moderate), so it’s less grunty, but the trade-off for perfection is worth it. That morning is a real highlight. The afternoon turns onshore, so don’t hold your breath.

From Sunday, July 12th, through to Thursday, July 16th morning, it gets small and messy. Swell stays under 4ft, winds are cross or light onshore, and the energy drops into the low hundreds or even double digits. There’s a big gap of poor to very ordinary surf for about four days. Not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate.

Then, Thursday, July 16th afternoon, things wake up again. A new pulse of 7ft swell from the south with a short 7-second period and energy at 567 (moderate). The south wind is 16 mph offshore, so it’s clean but a bit walled-up and quick. This is more for the experienced surfer.

Friday, July 17th, is a bit of a mixed bag. 5ft in the morning from the SE with a short period and offshore wind – rideable but ordinary. The afternoon is 6ft from the SE, but the wind cranks to 19 mph. It’s offshore, which keeps it clean, but that is a lot of wind for a point break.

Saturday, July 18th, settles down nicely. 4ft from the SSE with a solid 10-second period, and a gentle 9 mph offshore breeze. This is a fun, clean size for a good range of surfers. Energy is 404 (moderate). A good option.

Sunday, July 19th morning is glassy with 4ft from the SE, but it’s fairly weak with 263 energy. The afternoon goes onshore and dies.

After a run of poor conditions on Monday, July 20th, we get a nice surprise on Tuesday, July 21st morning. Glassy conditions and a 7ft pulse from the south with an 8-second period. Energy is up at 717 (moderate to strong). That’s clean and punchy, a good one for the experienced crew.

Finally, Wednesday, July 22nd, the swell pumps back up to 10ft from the SSE, 10-second period, and the combined energy hits 3186 (strong to very strong). That’s a serious swell. The wind is cross-onshore though, so it will be a bit lumpy, and with that size, it’s only for experts. The afternoon goes full onshore and messy.

For the real standouts, I’d be nailing that Tuesday, July 7th morning session for big, powerful, clean waves, and that Saturday, July 11th morning for absolute glassy perfection on a smaller day. Long-range, Tuesday, July 21st morning also looks promising but keep an eye on the wind forecasts – it’s a bit far out.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
2
3
3
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
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
10
3
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
12
3
SSE
11
3
SE
11
2.5
SE
11
2.5
SSE
11
2.3
SE
10
2
SE
10
2.3
SSE
10
2.2
SSE
11
1.7
SE
10
1.4
SE
10
0.9
ESE
12
1.2
ESE
11
1.1
SE
10
0.9
ESE
10
0.7
SE
10
0.6
ESE
9
0.5
SE
9
0.6
S
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1791
2049
3074
2248
2090
1764
1567
1020
753
1024
1060
592
392
242
323
239
189
100
59
39
34
Wind (km/h)
25
S
25
S
20
S
25
S
25
S
15
S
20
S
20
S
15
SSW
20
S
20
SSE
10
SW
0
NNW
10
NNE
10
WNW
15
WNW
10
W
10
WSW
5
WNW
5
NW
10
WSW
Wind State
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
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
6:55AM1.21m
7:29PM1.97m
Low Tide
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
12:40PM0.17m
2:10AM0.22m
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
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>
5:02
5:02
5:04
5:04
5:05
5:05
5:05
 mm
2
1
1
3
Temp °C
17
17
16
17
18
17
17
17
16
18
17
16
17
17
17
20
21
16
19
19
17
Feels °C
12
12
11
12
13
12
13
13
12
14
13
14
15
14
15
15
18
12
17
18
14
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
ESE
12
0.4
ESE
12
0.2
ESE
15
2.5
SE
11
2.4
SE
11
0.1
S
23
2
SE
10
1.9
SE
10
1.9
SE
10
1.7
SE
10
1.4
SE
10
1.2
SE
9
1.2
ESE
11
1.1
SE
10
0.9
ESE
10
0.7
SE
10
0.6
ESE
9
0.5
SE
9
0.6
S
7
Energy kJ
81
46
21
1764
1227
11
753
696
725
592
392
242
323
239
189
100
59
39
34
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
20
0.1
S
22
0.4
SE
14
0.1
E
12
0.1
S
21
0.7
ESE
14
0.9
ESE
12
0.8
SSE
9
0.5
S
9
0.5
S
9
0.4
SSE
8
0.5
S
8
0.4
SSE
7
0.4
SE
8
Energy kJ
8
9
74
3
8
166
237
92
39
40
22
32
18
16
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
20
0.1
S
18
0.3
NNW
4
0.3
NW
4
0.3
ESE
10
0.3
ESE
10
Energy kJ
8
6
3
2
20
19
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
12
3
SSE
11
3
SE
11
2.5
SSE
11
2.5
SSE
11
2.3
SE
10
2.3
SSE
10
2.2
SSE
11
0.6
NNW
4
0.4
NW
4
0.4
SW
3
0.7
SW
5
Energy kJ
1791
2049
3074
2248
2090
1503
1567
1020
1024
1060
8
3
3
22
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
2
3
3
2
2
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
54
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
5
4
3
4
4
4
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
7
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
3
2
4
2
2
4
1
1
1
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
7
9
8
9
7
7
6
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
9
9
7
5
6
  • 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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