
Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 2,625 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s 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 14) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rainbow Bay in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got the lowdown on what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow start, so don’t rush down this morning. We’ve got a solid run of good waves building from midweek, but you’ll need to pick your windows.
Right now, and through Sunday afternoon, it’s small and pretty ordinary at Rainbow Bay. There’s a 4ft SE swell pushing through, with a 9-second period, and the ESE cross-off wind is keeping things clean, but the energy is only moderate at 227. It’s surfable, but nothing to get excited about. The water’s sitting at 70°, which is pretty average for this time of year.
Monday morning offers a similar story, with a smaller 3ft SSE swell and light ESE cross-off winds. The energy drops to 121, so it’s still on the weak side. The afternoon turns messy with a NE cross-on breeze, and conditions go downhill fast from there. Tuesday is a write-off with onshore winds and tiny swell, and Wednesday morning is still small and weak.
But hang in there, because Wednesday afternoon, the 16th of September, we finally see some life. A solid 10ft SSE swell rolls in with an 8-second period, and the wind swings to a fresh S/SSE offshore. The energy jumps into the strong range at 1167. Now, that size is well into expert territory, and the period is short, so expect it to be a bit walled-up and bumpy even with the clean wind. It’s a proper big, raw ocean.
Thursday the 17th is where things really start to shape up. The morning brings an 8ft SSE swell with a longer 10-second period, and the wind is a clean moderate S offshore. The energy is strong at 1372, and the forecast is expecting very good surf. This is the standout. The swell direction is straight out of the SSE, which is the optimum for Rainbow Bay, and the offshore wind will have it looking perfect. That’s your session. Thursday afternoon, the swell pushes back up to 10ft with a 9-second period and fresh offshore wind, but that’s big and powerful, only for the experienced crew.
Friday the 18th still has good waves with a 7ft SSE swell and gentle offshore wind in the morning. The energy is moderate at 703. It’s cleaner and a bit more manageable than Thursday, but still a great option. The afternoon turns cross-off, but the swell holds around 6ft.
Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th see the wind go onshore and the swell fade, so those days are a write-off. Then, on Monday the 21st, another pulse of 10ft SSE swell hits with fresh offshore wind and strong energy around 1021 to 1083. The period is short at 8 seconds, so again, big and unruly, strictly for experts.
Tuesday the 22nd offers a cleaner, more manageable 7ft SE swell with a 10-second period and light cross-off wind. Energy is moderate at 723. That’s a nice follow-up session for those who missed Thursday. From Wednesday the 23rd onward, it’s back to small, weak, and onshore or cross-on conditions, with swell dropping below 3ft and energy falling into the weak range. That pattern sticks right through to the end of the outlook on the 28th.
So, to wrap it up: the clear standout is Thursday the 17th of September, with a solid 8ft SSE groundswell and clean offshore wind at Rainbow Bay. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. Friday and the following Tuesday are good backups. The rest is mostly small and blown out, so pick your moments.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the S by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | N 4 | E 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
190 | 99 | 96 | 78 | 48 | 50 | 33 | 29 | 18 | 1164 | 2625 | 1365 | 1343 | 990 | 687 | 572 | 380 | 303 | 262 | 167 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:26PM1.55m | 9:50AM1.56m | 9:57PM1.41m | 10:28AM1.53m | 10:27PM1.28m | 11:08AM1.49m | 10:58PM1.16m | 11:55AM1.44m | 11:36PM1.05m | 12:54PM1.40m | 00:37AM0.97m | 2:09PM1.39m | 2:21AM0.94m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:34AM0.29m | 3:58PM0.41m | 4:02AM0.35m | 4:40PM0.52m | 4:29AM0.42m | 5:27PM0.64m | 5:00AM0.48m | 6:27PM0.73m | 5:38AM0.56m | 7:55PM0.78m | 6:34AM0.63m | 9:33PM0.75m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | |
5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | SSE 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | ENE 8 | NE 16 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
190 | 99 | 96 | 30 | 32 | 24 | 33 | 24 | 18 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 687 | 572 | 380 | 303 | 262 | 167 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 19 | E 6 | E 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 6 | SSE 9 | N 5 | — | — | — | E 13 | NE 16 | NE 16 | NE 15 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
35 | 22 | 23 | 78 | 48 | 50 | 16 | 16 | 4 | — | — | — | 3 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 76 | 56 | 55 | 38 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | NE 12 | E 14 | — | — | — | — | E 12 | S 19 | NE 15 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSE 17 |
2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 29 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 2 | N 3 | N 4 | S 5 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | — | N 3 | N 4 |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | 29 | 134 | 1164 | 2625 | 1365 | 1343 | 990 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 20 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 203 | 5 | 5 | 176 | 79 | 203 | 1374 | 847 | 0 | 324 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 265 | 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.










