Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, SSE swell with 750 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 1.4m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s 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 2.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s heading to Rainbow Bay. This is a classic point break, sheltered from the heavy stuff, and it lights up when the swell comes from the SE. The water temp is about normal for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
The next 16 days have a few good windows, but the first few days are a bit of a slog. Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st of July have some wave action, but it’s small and messy with a moderate breeze making conditions ordinary. The energy is low, from 39 to 359, so not worth rushing out.
Saturday the 1st of August is still a bit messy. You’ve got 5ft to 6ft of SSE swell, but the wind is howling from the south at 25 km/h, and the energy is moderate (349-502). It’s surfable but not the best.
Sunday the 2nd of August is where it gets good. The morning delivers 6ft of SE swell with a 9-second period, and a gentle offshore wind from the south at 15 km/h. The energy jumps to 773 (moderate to strong). The forecast says “expect good surf conditions,” and for a point break, that’s clean and punchy. Beginners might find it a bit much at 6ft, but for the rest of us, it’s a winner.
Monday the 3rd of August is the real standout. The morning is glassy—wind from the south at 5 km/h, with 6ft of SE swell and a 11-second period. The energy is still strong at 644. The waves will have shape, power, and the surface will be smooth as butter. The swell direction is right in the sweet spot for Rainbow Bay. This is the session to paddle out for.
After that, it gradually fades. Tuesday the 4th drops to 4ft, and by Wednesday the 5th it’s down to 3ft with weak energy (113-116). There’s a small bump around Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th of August, with 5ft to 6ft and offshore winds, but the energy is moderate (313-532). It’s solid, but not as special.
The second week is quieter. From the 8th through to the 14th, there are a few clean mornings with 3ft to 4ft swell and offshore winds, but the energy is moderate (214-447). The 12th of August morning has a nice 4ft swell from the ESE with a 12-second period and light offshore wind, which will be clean and fun. But the best of the bunch is definitely the 2nd and 3rd of August.
One thing to keep in mind—Rainbow Bay is often crowded, so expect plenty of company on those good days. But for a point break with that swell direction and wind, it’s worth the company.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed night, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | NE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 11 | S 9 | E 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 12 | 23 | 150 | 133 | 287 | 24 | 285 | 210 | 495 | 703 | 589 | 502 | 510 | 635 | 475 | 275 | 197 | 82 | 69 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 11:50AM1.37m | 11:52PM1.41m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:35AM0.31m | 5:47PM0.49m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSE 11 | ENE 7 | E 7 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | NE 7 | SE 15 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 12 | 23 | 25 | 133 | 49 | 24 | 59 | 123 | 2 | 58 | 589 | 502 | 510 | 635 | 475 | 275 | 197 | 82 | 69 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 13 | NE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 9 | ENE 8 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | NE 12 | NE 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SSE 8 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 8 | 3 | 7 | 19 | 16 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 178 | 285 | 205 | 5 | 4 | 27 | 23 | 46 | 30 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | E 13 | E 13 | NE 6 | SE 13 | SE 13 | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 15 | NE 6 | E 17 | — | ENE 6 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | ESE 12 | SE 10 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 8 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 6 | — | 27 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | S 9 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 19 | 150 | 114 | 287 | 148 | 285 | 210 | 495 | 703 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 157 | 142 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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.
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