Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's get into it. The main story for this stretch is a classic Gold Coast run: we've got a solid window of clean, manageable waves kicking off this week, then a big pulse of energy rolls in for the end of the month and into the start of August. The water temp is sitting right on 69.6°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The best bet across the whole period is Rainbow Bay. This little point is the standout. The week starts off sweet. Wednesday morning (22nd July) we've got a 4.9ft easterly swell with a 10-second period and glassy conditions. The combined energy is a solid 462, which is a nice moderate push. It’s a good, clean start for a beginner-friendly wave. The wind holds off and the morning looks clean again on Thursday (23rd) with a 3.9ft easterly swell, though it's a bit more ordinary. Friday morning (24th) is a write-off with strong southerly winds, but the afternoon jumps up to a lumpy 6.9ft, which is getting too big for beginners.

Now, here’s where it gets good. Saturday morning (25th July) is a gem. We’re looking at 5.2ft from the SSE with a 9-second period, glassy conditions, and a combined energy of 762. That’s a moderate, punchy wave for the point. The water is clean, the wind is perfect, and it’s a dream for a longboard or a funboard. The spot is a point break, so it handles the longer swell periods well. Just be aware that it can get crowded here, so get in early.

The energy builds through the end of the week. Monday morning (27th) delivers 4.9ft from the south with a 10-second period under clean offshore winds and a combined energy of 696. It’s good, but it’s not the highlight.

The real headline act is Friday, 31st July. The morning session is firing. We’ve got a solid 9.8ft swell from the SSE with a 10-second period, offshore winds, and a combined energy of 2969. That’s a strong, powerful swell. This is expert territory only – way too big for beginners. The afternoon drops to 7.9ft, still very clean, but still only for the experienced crew. The point will handle this size really well, offering long, fast walls.

After that, the swell backs off. Saturday (1st August) is a more manageable 5.2ft, and Sunday (2nd) is small and clean. The second week looks pretty sleepy. There’s a gap of poor conditions from Monday (3rd) through to Wednesday (5th) with onshore winds and tiny waves. Things might perk up again on Thursday (6th) afternoon with a 3.0ft swell showing a 12-second period and a combined energy of 449, but it’s a long way out and more of a “keep an eye on it” situation.

Overall, get on it this weekend and next Friday. That’s the pick of the litter.

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