Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m lookin’ at Rainbow Bay over the next couple weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you—there’s not much to get excited about here for a while. The first several days, from Monday the 13th through Wednesday the 15th, there’s barely a bump. Swells are tiny, mostly under 2 feet, and while some of those mornings are glassy, the energy just isn’t there. The combined swell energy is weak, around 77 or less, so you’re basically looking at flat, clean water. Perfect for a paddle, not so much for a wave.

Then we hit Thursday the 16th, and things change—big time. The swell jumps to 8 feet from the SSE, but with a short period of 8 seconds. That’s a lot of water moving fast, and the combined energy is strong at 956. But here’s the catch: it’s coming with rain showers and a fresh offshore wind from the south at 30 km/h. That wind will keep it clean, but the size and punch make this one for experienced surfers only. Beginners, stay on the sand. The conditions are marginal, with questionable tide, so it’s not a classic day, but for a big, raw wave, it’s got something.

Friday the 17th afternoon is honestly the standout of the whole run. Swell drops just a hair to 8 feet from the SE, period still short at 8 seconds, but the wind turns offshore again with that moderate breeze from the SSE at 25 km/h. The combined energy is solid at 708. If you’re an expert and you don’t mind some rain showers, that afternoon window looks like the best shot. It’s a point break, sheltered from the worst, and that offshore wind will peel it up nice. Crowds are often here, so expect company.

Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th stay big—8 feet to 10 feet—but winds are cross-offshore, and the energy gets massive on Sunday, hitting 1561. That’s a lot of juice. Problem is, the period is still short (8-9 seconds) and conditions are marginal. This is all for experts, and even then, it’s rough around the edges.

From Monday the 20th onward, the swell slowly backs off. By Wednesday the 22nd, we’re down to 4 feet with a gentle offshore breeze and combined energy around 225. It’s surfable, but ordinary. The water temp sits at 69°F, which is about average for this time of year—no surprises there.

Overall, if you’re after the one true standout, point your board at Friday afternoon, July 17th. That’s your best blend of size, clean wind, and a bit of consistency for the experienced crew. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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