Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 28 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
20.7° C
0.1° 

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 28 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, SSE swell with 358 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s 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 1.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Thu 30th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 7s
Best Surf10AM (Fri 31st Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 9s
Most Powerful 7PM (Sat 1st Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the same story but in feet and Fahrenheit.

We’re starting off with a flat spell. The water’s sitting at about 69°, which is normal for this time of year, so nothing to complain about.

The first real chance comes on Friday morning, July 31st. The wind will be blowing offshore from the south at 12 mph, which is a beauty for clean waves. The swell will be around 5ft from the south with a 9-second period, and the combined energy hits 424 (moderate). That’s a fun size, not too big for the average surfer, but it might be pushing it for absolute beginners. The offshore wind will keep it glassy. Rainbow Bay is a sheltered point, and it’s known to get crowded, so don’t sleep in. This is the standout session.

The energy continues into Saturday afternoon, August 1st, with another 5ft south-southeast swell at 10 seconds and 403 energy. Winds are offshore again at 12 mph. A solid follow-up.

Sunday, August 2nd brings a slightly bigger 5ft swell from the east in the morning, but with a shorter 7-second period, so it’s a bit more wind-affected. The energy is 501 (moderate). The afternoon cleans up to a 4ft south-southeast swell at 10 seconds and 453 energy. It’s not the best quality, but it’s rideable.

The second week is a tough slog. Friday morning, August 7th, shows a 4ft south-southeast swell at 10 seconds and 301 energy, but it’s just not great. The wind is cross-offshore, but the quality is poor. Saturday morning, August 8th, has a 4ft south-southeast swell with a longer 12-second period and 416 energy, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-offshore. That’s a kite-surfing day, not a clean paddle.

From the 9th of August onward, the swell drops below 3ft and the energy goes flat. There’s a long stretch of days with nothing worth paddling out for.

So, your one shot is Friday morning, July 31st, at Rainbow Bay. It’s the cleanest, most energetic window we’ve got. Get out there early.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSE
9
0.6
SSE
8
0.5
S
7
0.6
ENE
6
0.5
ENE
6
0.5
NE
7
0.5
NE
7
1.1
S
7
1.4
S
9
0.5
E
7
0.8
SSE
10
0.8
SSE
10
1.4
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
10
1.6
E
7
1.1
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
10
1.1
SE
10
1
SSE
10
0.8
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
116
50
28
25
18
25
24
110
347
25
144
133
348
250
233
237
245
229
204
115
Wind (km/h)
10
E
10
WNW
5
SW
10
E
10
SSW
15
S
25
SSE
15
SSW
20
S
25
SSE
15
S
20
S
20
SSE
10
SSE
10
SE
10
ESE
5
SE
5
NNE
10
NW
10
NW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
7:40PM1.80m
7:57AM1.19m
8:16PM1.82m
8:35AM1.24m
8:49PM1.82m
9:10AM1.27m
9:22PM1.78m
9:45AM1.30m
9:55PM1.72m
10:22AM1.33m
10:29PM1.64m
11:03AM1.35m
11:08PM1.54m
Low Tide
2:22AM0.43m
1:33PM0.39m
2:54AM0.38m
2:11PM0.38m
3:26AM0.35m
2:48PM0.38m
3:56AM0.33m
3:26PM0.39m
4:26AM0.32m
4:07PM0.41m
4:58AM0.31m
4:52PM0.44m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:30
6:30
6:28
6:28
6:28
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:13
5:14
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:15
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
18
17
20
19
18
18
17
15
17
17
16
17
18
17
17
18
17
18
17
17
Feels °C
17
16
18
17
17
14
13
12
12
13
12
13
14
14
15
16
16
16
16
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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