Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, checkin’ in.

First up, we’ve got a bit of a quiet start at Rainbow Bay. The early part of the week is looking pretty ordinary – small, weak, and the wind just isn’t playin’ ball. We’ve got a few days of surfing but it’s nothin’ to write home about. The water temp is sittin’ around 69°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so at least the water feels good.

Tuesday morning, the 4th of August, brings the first real chance. It’s tiny, 1.0ft of SE swell, but the wind is glassy from the north, which makes it clean. The energy is weak (168), so you’re not gonna get any power, but it’s a chance to get wet. The rest of that week is a bit of a write-off – small, weak, and with cross-onshore winds messin’ up the surface. A few mornings have a clean look, like Thursday the 6th with a light offshore from the south, but the swell is only 2ft with a short period.

Now, don’t lose hope. The real action starts to build from the second week. The standout for this whole forecast is the period from Thursday the 13th of August right through to the following week. On Thursday morning the 13th, we get a solid 8ft pulse from the south, with a period of 9 seconds and a strong offshore wind from the SSW creating clean conditions. The energy is very strong (1160). That afternoon, it jumps to 12ft from the SSE, with a fresh offshore wind. This is serious, heavy swell. Anything over 8ft is for experienced surfers only, and this is a big one. The break is a point, so it’ll handle that size well, but be aware the period is around 10 seconds, so it’s not a super long-period groundswell. Friday the 14th looks excellent, with 12ft swell and consistent offshore winds in the morning, earning a solid "excellent" call for experienced surfers.

The tail end of the run, from the 16th to the 19th, keeps the swell in the 6ft to 8ft range, still with clean offshore winds most of the time. Sunday morning the 16th has 8ft and a good offshore wind, and the energy is strong (1578). The water is still clean. The very last day, Wednesday the 19th of August, is a beauty – 7ft of SE swell, glassy conditions, and a bit of a lighter crowd mood. The energy is moderate (747), but it’s clean.

Keep in mind, Rainbow Bay is a sheltered spot, so it’s picky about swell direction. The optimum swell is from the SE, and those later pulses are from the SSE, which is a good match. The crowds can be a problem here, especially when it’s good. It’s a fairly consistent break, so when it’s on, people are on it.

So, the best on offer is hands down the period from Thursday the 13th to Friday the 14th of August. That’s the big swell, clean, and powerful. The later part of the run, especially the 16th and 19th, is also solid but a little smaller. If you’re not an expert, stay away from the 13th and 14th afternoons – that’s heavy stuff. For the rest of us, that’s the time to be in the water.

Rusty.

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