Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, SSE swell with 170 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 0.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty again. Let’s break it down in feet and miles per hour.
The forecast starts flat and pretty disappointing. From right now through the 9th of September, there’s no real swell to speak of. We’re talking ankle-to-knee high dribble with onshore winds or cross-off breezes on tiny waves. You’d be better off doing anything else. The 3rd of September has a 1.1m (4ft) wave but with a 5-second period and 25 km/h onshore wind – that’s a washing machine, not surf.
Then we finally get a pulse on Thursday the 10th of September. Morning session is looking glassy, wind almost nothing out of the north. The swell hits about 1.6m (5ft) from the SSE, period around 9 seconds. The combined energy is 406, which is moderate but feels solid in the water. It’s clean and the offshore wind direction works well for the point. A good warm-up.
Friday the 11th of September is the real standout. That morning brings a 2.4m (8ft) south swell with light offshore breezes. The energy reading is huge at 1714 – that’s some serious grunt. It’s a proper groundswell, period 9 seconds, so you’ll see good lines wrapping around the headland. This is expert territory at that size, no question. If you can handle it, this is the best wave of the whole outlook.
After that, there are a few more options. Saturday the 12th morning has 1.2m (4ft) from the south, clean, but not the same power. Sunday the 13th morning is glassy again with 1.7m (6ft) from the SSE, which will be fun but expect some company. By Tuesday the 15th, the swell drops in quality, shorter period and weird direction, so not worth planning around.
First week is a write-off. The 10th is a go. The 11th is the real deal.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | N 5 | N 6 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | S 10 | N 5 | N 6 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 14 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 102 | 71 | 70 | 57 | 45 | 45 | 59 | 85 | 33 | 28 | 27 | 71 | 49 | 111 | 17 | 31 | 54 | 170 | 94 | 112 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:41PM1.41m | 11:20AM1.50m | 11:28PM1.27m | 12:19PM1.49m | 00:27AM1.14m | 1:29PM1.49m | 1:44AM1.05m | 2:50PM1.54m | 3:16AM1.03m | 4:06PM1.62m | 4:37AM1.09m | 5:11PM1.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:39PM0.36m | 4:53AM0.26m | 5:35PM0.42m | 5:38AM0.30m | 6:46PM0.49m | 6:33AM0.35m | 8:15PM0.52m | 7:45AM0.38m | 9:46PM0.47m | 9:06AM0.38m | 10:58PM0.39m | 10:22AM0.33m | 11:54PM0.29m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 27 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 5 | S 6 | S 10 | S 9 | N 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 5 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 102 | 68 | 70 | 48 | 45 | 45 | 28 | 53 | 34 | 23 | 20 | 71 | 41 | 82 | 43 | 24 | 11 | 170 | 94 | 112 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 6 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 14 | ESE 5 | NE 8 | NE 7 |
| kJ | 72 | 71 | 43 | 57 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 28 | 28 | 12 | 9 | 21 | 35 | 18 | 17 | 31 | 54 | 12 | 39 | 23 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | NE 12 | SE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 16 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | E 10 | NE 8 | SE 13 | E 9 |
| kJ | 35 | 5 | 31 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 33 | 33 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 46 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 2 | NNE 4 | N 4 | N 4 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | SSE 3 | ESE 3 | — | — | N 5 | N 6 | — | SE 4 | SE 5 | E 4 | ESE 4 | N 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 10 | 9 | 28 | 29 | 40 | 59 | 85 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 49 | 111 | — | 8 | 40 | 10 | 7 | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 203 | 1 | 12 | 16 | 10 | 40 | 144 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 5 | 265 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 204 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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