Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 21 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
20.4° C
0.4° 

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 21 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period, ENE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period, ENE swell with 280 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period with ENE 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 (Aug 24) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 7s 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 1.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 8s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Mon 24th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 7s
Best Surf 4AM (Mon 24th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 7s
Most Powerful 1AM (Wed 26th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, my salty friends, Rusty here again, giving you the lowdown in feet and miles per hour, 'cause that’s how we feel it.

Looking at the next 16 days at Rainbow Bay, it's a quiet stretch. Nothing is hitting the stand-out mark, so don't get your hopes up for a barrel. There's a long dry spell before you can even find a slow, weak wave. Don't worry, though; it'll come around, but you'll have to be picky.

Rainbow Bay is a sheltered point break that likes a SE swell. Water temp is around 69°, which is dead average for this time of year.

Forget the first week. From August 21st through the 24th, it's all "poor surf conditions" – knee-high mush and messy winds. Not worth walking down the beach for.

Finally, on Monday, August 24th in the morning, we get a weak pulse. The report shifts to "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." The swell is a tiny 2 ft from the E, with a period of 8 seconds, and a light cross-offshore breeze. The surface will be clean, but the energy is weak (122). That afternoon is the same story: 3 ft from ENE. This is the best you'll get for a few days, and it's barely a ripple.

Tuesday, August 25th morning, the wind goes glassy—offshore, NNE at 3 mph—and the waves are 3 ft from ENE, period 8 seconds. The water will be flat calm, but the waves are small and weak, with 179 combined energy (moderate). The afternoon onshore wind trashes it.

There's a run of clean conditions from Wednesday, August 27th morning through Thursday, September 3rd, but the swell never gets over 4 ft (mostly between 3 ft and 4 ft). The winds are light cross-offshore or offshore, which is a huge plus for clean faces. The moderate offshore wind on August 27th morning (12 mph) will smooth it out, but it's still only 4 ft from ENE.

On Tuesday, September 1st morning, another moderate offshore breeze (SSW, 12 mph) cleans up a 4 ft wave from the E, period 8 seconds. Surfable, but still "very ordinary."

By Wednesday, September 2nd afternoon, the period bumps to 11 seconds and energy hits 248 (moderate), but it's still just 3 ft from the E. That longer period will help it stand up a bit, but the size is tiny.

The last few days, September 4th and 5th, bring small SSE swell with onshore winds. Poor conditions. Stay home.

If you’re desperate, the best windows for a longboard are Monday, August 24th morning and Tuesday, August 25th morning when the wind is glassy or light. The waves will be clean but small. Beginners will have a safe, easy paddle, and everyone else can practice their nose rides.

The pick of the litter? Rainbow Bay, on Monday, August 24th morning. It’s got 2 ft from the E, light cross-offshore winds, and clean but weak energy. Tuesday morning, August 25th, with glassy conditions and 3 ft from ENE, is a close second.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
ENE
7
0.7
NE
7
0.7
E
7
0.9
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
7
0.8
ENE
7
0.7
E
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
1.2
ENE
8
1.5
ENE
8
1.3
ENE
8
1.3
ENE
8
1.4
ENE
8
1.3
ENE
8
1.4
ENE
8
1.1
E
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
57
47
45
68
77
72
93
86
59
61
92
101
125
202
280
212
206
262
217
226
157
Wind (km/h)
5
NNE
15
NNE
10
NW
10
NW
10
WSW
5
W
10
SSE
15
ESE
5
SSE
10
SE
10
ESE
5
SW
5
NNE
15
NNE
15
NNW
5
WNW
15
NE
10
SSW
20
SSE
15
SE
0
SW
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
2:53PM1.38m
2:27AM0.98m
4:06PM1.44m
4:06AM0.98m
5:05PM1.53m
5:19AM1.04m
5:52PM1.62m
6:12AM1.13m
6:33PM1.69m
6:54AM1.21m
7:10PM1.74m
7:31AM1.29m
7:45PM1.76m
Low Tide
9:52PM0.79m
8:38AM0.57m
11:07PM0.72m
9:53AM0.56m
11:58PM0.62m
10:57AM0.52m
00:38AM0.52m
11:49AM0.47m
1:12AM0.43m
12:34PM0.41m
1:44AM0.36m
1:15PM0.36m
2:14AM0.30m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:11
6:09
6:09
6:07
6:07
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:27
5:28
5:28
5:29
 mm
2
3
Temp °C
19
18
17
20
19
18
19
19
17
19
19
17
20
20
19
21
21
20
19
19
18
Feels °C
17
15
14
18
17
17
17
18
16
18
18
18
19
19
19
20
21
19
16
17
19
  • 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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