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, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,624 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 4AM (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 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here. Let me tell you, it’s been a bit quiet out at Rainbow Bay (point) for the start of this outlook, but don’t lose hope. The water temps are sitting pretty average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
Right now, Monday morning, we’ve got a tiny 3ft SSE swell coming in with a short 9-second period, and a light ESE cross-off breeze. The combined wave energy is weak (118), but the conditions are clean. It’s small, though, and the surf quality is poor. That trend continues through Tuesday with even smaller waves and onshore winds.
The real story starts to build Wednesday the 16th. By Wednesday morning, a fresh S offshore wind kicks in, pushing a 7ft S swell, but the period is short (6 seconds), so it’s a bit junky. The energy jumps to moderate (388). Then Wednesday afternoon, we see a spike with a 10ft SSE swell, 8-second period, and strong energy (1189). It’s solid but on the cusp of being too big for beginners, and the quality is only marginal.
Thursday the 17th is where it starts to get exciting. Morning brings a 10ft SSE swell with a longer 10-second period, clean offshore winds from the SSW at 16 mph, and the energy is very strong (1439). This is the standout for the first week. The surf quality is rated as very good, but the size means this is for experienced surfers only. The swell direction is a touch south of the optimum SE, but the power and clean wind make up for it.
Friday the 18th morning holds clean 7ft SSE swell with a 10-second period and gentle offshore winds – another great window with strong energy (1428). By Friday afternoon, the swell drops to 6ft and the wind shifts cross-off, still clean but less powerful.
Then we hit a big gap. From late Friday afternoon through the weekend and into the start of the following week, the surf fades and the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore. There’s really nothing worth paddling out for until the end of the 16-day window.
Looking further ahead, around Monday the 28th and Tuesday the 29th, things try to wake up again, but the swells stay small (under 4ft) with short periods and cross winds. The energy stays minimal. There is no true standout in that second week.
So, your best bet is Thursday the 17th morning. The point will be handling that 10ft SSE groundswell with clean offshore winds. It’s powerful, long-period, and the shape will be there for the guys who know what they’re doing. Crowds are often at Rainbow Bay, so expect company. Friday morning is your backup.
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 SSE by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed night, calm by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | N 4 | S 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 99 | 94 | 78 | 65 | 50 | 33 | 36 | 361 | 1186 | 2212 | 1432 | 1532 | 898 | 842 | 459 | 273 | 238 | 232 | 111 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | ENE 8 | NE 16 | SSE 9 | NE 15 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 99 | 94 | 78 | 32 | 24 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 573 | 8 | 273 | 238 | 232 | 111 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | N 5 | — | — | — | NE 16 | NE 16 | NE 16 | E 12 | E 8 | E 8 | SSE 16 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 22 | 22 | 31 | 65 | 50 | 33 | 16 | 2 | — | — | — | 10 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 27 | 42 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 15 | E 12 | NE 13 | — | — | — | — | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | SE 17 | E 8 | SSE 17 |
| kJ | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 29 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 2 | N 4 | N 4 | S 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | N 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | 12 | 36 | 361 | 1186 | 2212 | 1432 | 1532 | 898 | 842 | 459 | — | — | — | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 176 | 40 | 203 | 1374 | 324 | 0 | 324 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 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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