Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 14 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
20.9° C
0.2° 

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 14 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 10s period, SE swell with 4,737 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 19s 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 5.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 7PM. 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 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Fri 17th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 17th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 7PM (Sat 18th Jul)16ft (5.0m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Look, we’ve got a bit of a wild ride ahead over the next couple of weeks. The first few days are a no-go unless you’re into getting pounded, but if you can wait, there’s a window of clean, manageable surf for the patient ones.

The forecast kicks off on Wednesday, 15 July, but don’t get excited. First thing in the morning, Rainbow Bay is seeing a tiny 0.3ft wave from the ESE with a weak 11 units of energy. It’s poor. By the afternoon, the swell jumps to 6ft from the S, but with a short, choppy 6-second period and 278 energy, it’s still messy and not worth a paddle. Thursday, 16 July, gets real. We’re looking at 12ft on the morning from the SSE, with a massive 1540 energy units. That’s strong, but it’s a stormy, dangerous brew with storms about and strong offshore winds. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s a battle. The swell stays big and rough all the way through Friday, 17 July, and into Saturday, 18 July, with 13ft and energy cracking 4000. The wind is howling offshore at 25 mph, making it clean but absolutely impossible to paddle into. This is not a surf session; it’s survival. The trend continues through Sunday, 19 July, and Monday, 20 July, with 13ft from the SE and ESE, still with strong winds and huge energy. Honestly, for a sheltered point like Rainbow Bay, this is more of a kite-surfing spectacle than a paddle session.

The real standout comes on Wednesday, 22 July. The morning sees the swell dropping to a much friendlier 6ft from the E, with a 10-second period and 712 energy. The wind is a gentle offshore from the S at 9 mph, making for clean, glassy conditions. Rainbow Bay is a sheltered SE-facing point, and this E swell is a sweet match for the banks. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no wetsuit drama. Crowds are often a factor here, so expect company, but for a Wednesday morning, it’ll be worth it. This is the best on offer—clean, manageable, and fun. The energy is moderate, and the wave shape should be solid.

On Thursday, 23 July, the morning is even better for the mellower crew, with 5ft from the E, 10-second period, and 466 energy. The wind is light at 6 mph from the SSE, glassy and clean. It’s a quieter, more relaxed day. Friday, 24 July, holds similar 5ft waves in the morning, with a moderate offshore wind keeping it tidy. But by the afternoon, it gets a bit ordinary.

Switching to Saturday, 25 July, the swell picks up again to 8ft on the morning from the SSE, with 910 energy. The wind is gentle offshore, so it’s clean, but that’s a solid size for a point break—still good for intermediates who are comfortable. The afternoon jumps to 10ft, which is pushing into expert territory. The energy is moderate-strong, and the SSE swell works well here.

The final days from Sunday, 26 July, to Wednesday, 30 July, see plenty of smaller, surfable waves between 3ft and 6ft, but the energy drops off, and the conditions are ordinary. The 27th of July has a nice 4ft wave with a 12-second period from the E, which is worth a look, but it’s not a standout.

So, the takeaway: if you want the cleanest, most fun waves, get your board wet on Wednesday, 22 July, in the morning. Thursday, 23 July, is a close second for a more relaxed session. The big stuff from the 16th to the 20th is for the thrill-seekers or the kite crew. Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 41mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Tue night, fresh winds from the SSE by Thu morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri night, min 17°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds.

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tue
21
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
3
2
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
ESE
10
0.2
ESE
9
1.9
S
6
2.5
S
8
3.5
SSE
8
3
SSE
8
3
SSE
8
3
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
8
3
SE
8
3
SSE
9
4
SSE
9
5
SE
10
4
SE
10
4
ESE
10
4
ESE
10
4
ESE
10
3
ESE
11
3
ESE
10
2.5
ESE
11
2.3
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
10
9
266
825
1540
1410
1227
1067
877
1085
1321
2522
4337
3072
3074
3236
3513
1961
1691
1456
1112
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
15
S
30
S
30
SSW
40
SSE
35
SSE
25
SSE
30
SSE
35
SSE
30
S
40
S
40
S
40
SSE
40
SSE
40
SSE
35
SSE
30
SSE
30
SSE
25
SSE
20
SE
20
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:40AM1.27m
9:03PM2.00m
9:27AM1.29m
9:47PM1.94m
10:12AM1.30m
10:28PM1.83m
10:57AM1.31m
11:07PM1.70m
11:42AM1.32m
11:45PM1.55m
12:31PM1.33m
00:22AM1.41m
1:25PM1.34m
Low Tide
2:59AM0.20m
2:20PM0.18m
3:43AM0.20m
3:07PM0.23m
4:25AM0.24m
3:53PM0.31m
5:04AM0.30m
4:38PM0.41m
5:41AM0.36m
5:26PM0.52m
6:18AM0.41m
6:18PM0.63m
6:55AM0.45m
clear
clear
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
mod rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
 mm
1
5
5
9
12
4
5
1
1
4
16
5
3
1
2
Temp °C
16
17
15
15
17
17
17
17
17
18
18
17
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
19
19
Feels °C
14
11
9
9
10
12
12
12
11
11
10
10
12
12
12
11
12
13
14
15
15
  • 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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