
Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, SE swell with 804 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with E 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rainbow Bay in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) 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 0.9m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what Rainbow Bay’s got cooking over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but there’s some serious quality shaping up if you’ve got patience.
Right now, and for the next few days, it’s pretty grim – honestly, not worth paddling out. The swell is tiny, around 2 feet from the east, and the wave energy is weak (88 to 161). The wind’s all over the place, mostly cross or cross-on, and the conditions are just poor. You’d be better off waiting.
It’s not until Thursday the 13th of August that things start to show a pulse. Thursday morning brings a clean 2-foot east swell with light offshore wind. It’s small, but the water temp is about average for the time of year, and it’s a start. Thursday arvo picks up a bit to 3 feet from the SSE, but it’s a short-period 8 seconds wave, so nothing to get too excited about.
Friday the 14th is where it starts getting interesting. Morning sees a clean 5-foot S swell with a solid 12 mph offshore wind – that’s going to be tidy, but the energy is still moderate (339). The afternoon jumps to 5 feet SSE, but it’s not scoring well on quality.
The real standout is going to be Thursday the 20th of August. The morning session is the pick of the entire forecast: a clean 7-foot ESE swell with a strong 12 mph offshore wind, and the wave energy is pumping at 1328. That’s proper, solid surf – good for experienced surfers, as it’s over 5 feet. It’s a moderate offshore breeze, so it’ll be clean and lined up. The crowd situation at Rainbow Bay is *often* busy, so expect company, but with that quality, it’s worth it. The swell direction is a clean ESE, which suits the break’s optimum SE direction nicely.
Before that, Wednesday the 19th of August is also good – 8 feet ESE in the morning with offshore wind, though the energy is a step down at 758. Still a solid session.
After the 20th, things fade a bit. Friday the 21st holds at 6 feet E with offshore wind, but the energy drops to 636. The tail end of the forecast from the 23rd onwards gets smaller and more mixed, with some cross-off winds and light rain. The 25th and 26th show tiny 3 to 3-foot swells with glassy conditions, but it’s just ordinary.
Overall, the best call is Thursday morning the 20th of August at Rainbow Bay – that’s your standout. A close second is Wednesday the 19th for the size, but the 20th has more grunt. The rest is either too small or messy. Get out there for that Thursday session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 10 | E 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
78 | 78 | 78 | 87 | 83 | 85 | 67 | 61 | 123 | 270 | 286 | 413 | 237 | 180 | 293 | 358 | 192 | 192 | 207 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 6:46AM1.21m | 7:14PM1.92m | 7:36AM1.29m | 8:00PM1.95m | 8:22AM1.36m | 8:43PM1.91m | 9:04AM1.40m | 9:22PM1.83m | 9:44AM1.43m | 9:59PM1.70m | 10:24AM1.43m | 10:33PM1.56m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:05AM0.24m | 12:31PM0.17m | 1:51AM0.18m | 1:22PM0.14m | 2:34AM0.16m | 2:09PM0.15m | 3:12AM0.18m | 2:53PM0.19m | 3:48AM0.22m | 3:36PM0.27m | 4:21AM0.28m | 4:18PM0.38m | |||||||
— | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Temp °C | 15 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 14 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 10 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | NNE 7 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 10 | S 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 |
100 | 38 | 78 | 87 | 83 | 85 | 67 | 38 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 30 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | NNE 6 | N 6 | NNE 6 | S 10 | E 9 | E 9 | NNE 7 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | SE 20 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 14 | SE 9 | SE 16 |
78 | 78 | 32 | 31 | 14 | 71 | 63 | 61 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SW 5 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | NE 11 | NE 6 | S 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | S 19 | N 9 | NE 9 | NE 11 | S 20 | E 16 | — | S 18 | E 14 |
2 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 24 | 5 | 9 | 29 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 5 | — | 6 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WSW 3 | — | WSW 3 | SW 4 | NNE 6 | WNW 3 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 |
14 | 1 | — | 4 | 7 | 22 | 1 | — | 123 | 270 | 286 | 413 | 237 | 180 | 293 | 358 | 192 | 192 | 207 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 176 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 324 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











