Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 17 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
21.1° C
0.1° 

Rainbow Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, E swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, SE swell with 3,997 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period with E 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Tue 21st Jul)6ft (1.9m) 10s
Best Surf 7PM (Tue 21st Jul)6ft (1.9m) 10s
Most Powerful10PM (Sat 18th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, looking at the same stretch of sand. Let’s talk in feet and miles per hour.

The action starts Friday, July 17, and it’s a rough one. Friday morning brings a 8-foot SSE swell, period around 8 seconds, but the wind is a cross-off from the SSE at 19 mph. The water temp is 70°, about normal for the season. The wave energy is moderate (808), but the conditions are poor. The afternoon is a bit cleaner with an offshore wind, but still marginal.

Saturday, July 18, is the big one. The morning has a 12-foot SSE swell, 8-second period, with a strong offshore wind from the south at 22 mph. The wave energy is very strong (2138). It’s clean, but this is heavy, expert-only territory. The afternoon sees the swell drop to 10 feet and shift to ESE, with a longer 10-second period and even stronger offshore wind at 25 mph. The energy is very strong (3346), and paddling into these will be a grind. This is the standout for the big-wave crew.

Sunday, July 19, keeps it solid with an 12-foot SE swell, 9-second period, cross-off wind, and strong energy (2108). Clean, but not as perfect. Monday, July 20, the swell eases to 12 feet in the morning and 8 feet in the afternoon, still cross-off, with energy in the moderate to strong range (1913 and 1476). Quality is marginal.

From Tuesday, July 21, it’s a steady drop. Tuesday morning has an 8-foot ESE swell, 10-second period, cross-off wind, and moderate energy (1308). By Wednesday, July 22, we’re down to 5 feet early, with a light offshore breeze and good conditions. The energy is moderate (460). The best bet for a clean, fun wave is Wednesday morning, with a 5-foot E swell, 9-second period, and light offshore wind. It’s the only time marked “expect good surf conditions.”

After that, it fades. Thursday, July 23, has 4-foot waves, and by Friday, July 24, it’s 3 feet. The weekend of July 25-26 sees tiny waves, with glassy conditions on Sunday morning but barely a ripple. From Monday, July 27, all the way through Saturday, August 1, it’s poor. Small waves, onshore winds, low energy. The last few days show a little bump to 6 feet on August 1, but with onshore wind and poor conditions, it’s a pass.

The standout: Saturday, July 18, is the biggest, most powerful surf, but it’s for experts only. The best bet for a clean, manageable wave is Wednesday morning, July 22, with a 5-foot E swell, light offshore wind, and clean conditions.

Crowds at Rainbow Bay can be heavy on a good day, so expect some company.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun night, min 15°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Mon morning, calm by Wed afternoon).

Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
8
3
SSE
8
3.5
SSE
8
3
ESE
10
4
SE
10
3.5
SE
9
3.5
SE
9
3.5
ESE
9
3.5
ESE
9
2.5
E
10
3
ESE
10
2.5
ESE
10
2
E
10
1.8
E
9
1.6
E
9
1.4
E
9
1.3
E
9
1.2
E
9
1.1
E
9
1.2
E
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
785
904
1030
1599
1944
2896
2082
1969
1809
1847
1303
1556
1200
770
556
425
311
270
230
189
230
Wind (km/h)
30
SSE
35
SSE
30
S
35
S
35
S
40
SSE
35
SSE
35
SSE
30
SE
30
SE
30
SE
20
SE
20
SSE
20
SSE
15
SE
10
S
10
ESE
5
SW
10
SSE
15
SE
10
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
10:12AM1.30m
10:28PM1.83m
10:57AM1.31m
11:07PM1.70m
11:42AM1.32m
11:45PM1.55m
12:31PM1.33m
00:22AM1.41m
1:25PM1.34m
1:04AM1.28m
2:27PM1.37m
1:55AM1.16m
3:34PM1.43m
3:01AM1.08m
Low Tide
3:53PM0.31m
5:04AM0.30m
4:38PM0.41m
5:41AM0.36m
5:26PM0.52m
6:18AM0.41m
6:18PM0.63m
6:55AM0.45m
7:21PM0.73m
7:37AM0.48m
8:39PM0.79m
8:25AM0.50m
10:06PM0.79m
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
5:09
5:10
 mm
4
5
1
2
4
9
4
4
7
2
1
Temp °C
18
17
17
17
17
18
18
18
19
19
19
19
18
18
18
18
18
17
18
17
16
Feels °C
13
11
11
10
12
12
13
13
15
15
15
15
15
15
16
17
17
17
16
15
15
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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