Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Issued: 3 am 04 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
21.6° 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 3 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SSE swell with 2,302 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period with ESE 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 Saturday (Jul 04) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 05) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Sat 4th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 10s
Best Surf10PM (Tue 7th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful10AM (Wed 8th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watching this stretch of coast like a hawk for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming, but it starts off a bit small before building into something special.

The first waves worth paddling out for are on Saturday, July 4th, at Rainbow Bay. That morning, the swell is a tiny 2.0ft from the ESE, with a period of 10 seconds, so it’s not gonna light the world on fire. The wind is a moderate offshore from the S, which will keep things clean, but the wave energy is weak (166). The water temp is a pleasant 71.0°, right about average for the time of year. It’s surfable, but only just.

Saturday afternoon sees a little bump up to 3.0ft from the ESE, and a longer 12-second period, but the wind goes cross-offshore. That’s still clean enough. Energy picks up to moderate levels (414). Not a standout, but a fun little session.

Now, Sunday the 5th is where it starts to get interesting. Sunday morning brings a clean 3.9ft swell from the S with a 10-second period and a solid offshore breeze from the S. The energy is moderate (451). This is a good call for a beginner or intermediate – the swell is well under 5.0ft, so it’s friendly.

Sunday afternoon gets a bit messy: the swell jumps to 6.2ft from the SSE, but the period drops to a short 6 seconds, so it’ll be lumpy and weak. The wind stays offshore, but it’s a rain shower day. I’d sit that one out.

Moving into the week, Monday the 6th is for experts only. The swell hits 8.2ft in the morning and 9.8ft in the afternoon, both from the SSE. The period is a short 8 seconds, so it’ll be a gutless, bumpy, big mess. Wave energy is strong (1139 and 1150), but the conditions are marginal. That’s kite-surf territory, not paddle.

The real gold starts on Tuesday the 7th and rolls through to Friday the 10th. Tuesday morning has 8.2ft from the SSE, 10-second period, and a moderate offshore from the S. Wave energy is strong (1346). The forecast says *very good* conditions. Tuesday afternoon jumps to 9.8ft, same direction, still offshore. This is big and powerful – experts only – but it’s clean.

Wednesday the 8th is a standout. Morning has 9.8ft from the SSE, an 11-second period, and a moderate offshore from the SSW. The combined energy is massive – 3963, which is very strong. This is *excellent* for experienced surfers. The long period means better shape and longer lulls, which helps with paddling out. A point break like Rainbow Bay will handle that nicely.

Thursday the 9th is another cracker. Morning comes in with 9.8ft from the SSE, 10-second period, and a clean offshore from the SSW. Energy is very strong (2664). Afternoon drops to a still-powerful 7.9ft, same direction. Both sessions are rated *excellent*.

Friday the 10th morning has 6.9ft, clean and offshore, with moderate energy (896). That’s a good one for experienced surfers. The afternoon is a true highlight: 8.2ft from the SSE, a long 12-second period, and a moderate offshore. The energy is huge (2848) and conditions are *excellent*. That’s the best on offer – solid size, long-period groundswell, clean wind. Crowds are listed as “often” possible at Rainbow Bay, so expect company.

Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th are smaller and less punchy. Swell drops to 5.2ft–5.6ft, clean, but the energy drops back to moderate. Sunday the 12th goes glassy in the morning with a tiny 2.3ft swell – not worth a paddle.

Then we hit a gap from the afternoon of Sunday the 12th through to Tuesday the 14th. Waves are below 3.3ft, wind is onshore or cross-shore, and the energy is weak (60 to 153). Poor conditions all round. Stay home.

The surf returns with a vengeance on Wednesday the 15th. Morning has 9.8ft from the SSE, a 10-second period, and a clean offshore from the SSW. Energy is very strong (1739). Afternoon is the same size, same direction, still offshore and clean. *Very good* conditions for experts.

Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th keep the size up: 8.2ft to 9.8ft from the SSE, clean offshore winds, but the period shortens to 9 seconds. The energy stays strong but conditions are described as marginal or good, not excellent. Still a solid session.

The final weekend, Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th, has solid 6.6ft to 6.9ft swell, 10–11 second periods, and clean offshore wind. Energy is moderate to strong (796 to 953). Good conditions for experienced surfers to close out the run.

Sum

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
3
2
4
3
3
2
4
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ESE
10
0.9
ESE
12
1
E
11
1.2
S
10
1.9
SSE
6
3
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
8
3
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
9
2.5
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3
SSE
11
2.5
SSE
11
3
SSE
11
3
SSE
10
2.4
SSE
10
2.5
SSE
9
2.1
SSE
10
2.5
SSE
12
1.9
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
86
244
265
279
255
1014
958
1014
1131
1288
1601
2159
2302
1466
1843
1525
1037
1060
849
1911
706
Wind (km/h)
20
S
20
SSE
15
SSW
25
S
25
S
30
SSE
30
SSE
30
SSE
20
S
20
S
20
S
20
SSW
20
SSW
25
SSW
20
SSW
25
S
20
S
15
SSW
15
S
20
S
15
SSW
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
10:54AM1.22m
10:59PM1.71m
11:38AM1.24m
11:38PM1.62m
12:28PM1.28m
00:24AM1.53m
1:25PM1.33m
1:18AM1.42m
2:28PM1.41m
2:21AM1.31m
3:36PM1.51m
3:33AM1.23m
4:41PM1.63m
Low Tide
4:23PM0.54m
5:43AM0.43m
5:10PM0.57m
6:21AM0.41m
6:07PM0.60m
7:05AM0.39m
7:15PM0.62m
7:54AM0.36m
8:35PM0.62m
8:50AM0.33m
9:58PM0.57m
9:49AM0.29m
11:14PM0.48m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
<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>
5:01
5:01
5:01
5:02
5:02
5:04
5:04
 mm
1
3
2
2
2
2
1
4
1
1
Temp °C
18
18
17
17
17
17
17
17
16
17
17
15
16
17
16
17
17
15
15
15
15
Feels °C
14
15
14
12
13
11
11
11
12
13
12
11
13
12
12
12
13
12
12
12
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ESE
10
0.9
ESE
12
1
E
11
0.8
ESE
11
0.9
E
11
1.3
S
13
0.7
ESE
13
0.6
ESE
13
0.7
ESE
12
0.4
ESE
12
0.4
ESE
11
2.5
SE
11
0.8
ESE
13
3
SSE
11
2.5
SSE
10
0.1
S
23
2.3
SSE
9
2.1
SSE
10
2.1
SSE
10
1.9
SSE
10
Energy kJ
86
244
265
158
188
560
178
131
160
50
51
1661
204
1843
1139
11
866
849
937
706
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ENE
8
0.3
NE
6
0.3
NE
7
0.4
NE
7
0.1
NE
8
0.4
ESE
14
0.1
NE
9
0.1
NE
9
0.1
S
20
0.4
SE
14
0.2
E
12
Energy kJ
22
6
7
11
3
63
3
3
8
47
11
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ESE
13
0.3
NE
6
0.2
NNE
6
0.1
NE
9
0.1
NE
9
0.1
NE
7
0.1
S
21
Energy kJ
58
6
4
3
3
2
9
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SSE
5
1.3
SSE
7
0.9
SSE
8
1.2
S
10
1.9
SSE
6
3
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
8
3
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
9
2.5
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3
SSE
11
2.5
SSE
11
3
SSE
10
2.4
SSE
10
2.5
SSE
9
2.5
SSE
12
Energy kJ
55
158
112
279
255
1014
958
1014
1131
1288
1601
2159
2302
1466
1525
1037
1060
1911
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
2
1
3
3
4
3
3
3
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
2
4
2
Distance (km)
0
0
0
0
1
142
142
776
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
1
4
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
2
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
6
5
4
7
4
4
4
5
4
5
6
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
6
5
9
7
5
6
8
7
4
5
9
8
9
6
5
5
8
5
8
  • 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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