Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, SE swell with 341 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with SE 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 (Aug 03) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 21s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rainbow Bay in the next 16 days are 1.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – this 16-day window for Rainbow Bay is a bit of a mixed bag, with a whole lot of ‘meh’ before we finally get a proper session. The first recommendation doesn’t kick in until Monday afternoon, the 3rd of August, so you’re looking at a quiet start to the week.
Monday afternoon the 3rd brings in some 5ft swell from the SE, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 431. The wind is light cross-shore from the E at 6 mph, so it’s rideable but nothing to write home about. The water temp is sitting at 69°, which is about average for this time of year.
The next few days are pretty grim – Tuesday and Wednesday are mostly poor with small waves and dodgy winds. Thursday morning the 6th is clean but tiny, with only 2ft. Friday and Saturday keep the small stuff coming, with a bit of offshore wind early on Saturday morning the 8th giving you some clean 3ft waves from the ENE, but it’s all very ordinary.
Sunday morning the 9th is worth a mention – glassy conditions with a 4ft E swell, period of 9 seconds, and moderate energy at 325. It’s surfable, but still not a standout. Monday and Tuesday morning the 11th are similar – clean but small.
Then things get a bit ugly on Thursday the 13th with rain showers and a strong cross-onshore wind, making a mess of things. Friday through to Sunday the 16th are tiny and clean, but you’d be lucky to catch a decent wave.
Now, the real highlight comes on Tuesday the 18th of August. The morning session is the pick of the entire outlook. The swell jumps to 4ft from the S, with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy is a solid 424. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the SSE at 6 mph, keeping it clean. The afternoon is a bit smaller at 3ft with stronger cross-offshore wind, but the morning window is the one to aim for. This is the best on offer, by a long shot – it’s promising, but it’s a good week and a half away, so keep an eye on the charts.
The rest of the period is a write-off. Don’t expect to be paddling out much before that 18th. Rainbow Bay (Gold Coast) is a sheltered point break, so it needs a decent push to get going, and it’s fairly consistent but can be a bit inconsistent. Crowds are often there, so expect company.
Stay patient, and lock in that Tuesday the 18th morning.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 404 | 230 | 103 | 62 | 117 | 154 | 84 | 57 | 41 | 33 | 29 | 59 | 57 | 78 | 76 | 96 | 214 | 270 | 230 | 162 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:08PM1.54m | 11:50AM1.37m | 11:52PM1.41m | 12:47PM1.40m | 00:46AM1.28m | 1:54PM1.44m | 1:54AM1.16m | 3:09PM1.51m | 3:16AM1.09m | 4:22PM1.62m | 4:38AM1.09m | 5:27PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:52PM0.44m | 5:35AM0.31m | 5:47PM0.49m | 6:18AM0.31m | 6:54PM0.54m | 7:10AM0.32m | 8:18PM0.56m | 8:12AM0.33m | 9:49PM0.52m | 9:23AM0.31m | 11:08PM0.43m | 10:32AM0.27m | 00:12AM0.33m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |
 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 404 | 230 | 103 | 62 | 117 | 154 | 84 | 43 | 41 | 28 | 29 | 59 | 57 | 78 | 76 | 96 | 214 | 270 | 230 | 162 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 6 | SSE 9 | ENE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 18 | 18 | 35 | 24 | 15 | 7 | 31 | 57 | 34 | 33 | 26 | 32 | 49 | 47 | 45 | 69 | 39 | 34 | 32 | 29 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 21 | NE 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 8 | NE 9 | SE 9 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 9 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 33 | 32 | 17 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 21 | 11 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 3 | ENE 2 | — | — | — | — | S 3 | — | — | SSW 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 5 | 176 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 176 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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