
Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 6 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SSE swell with 3,021 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s 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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Rainbow Bay.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but patience is gonna pay off for those that know what they’re doing. The first solid run kicks off Tuesday morning, July 7th, and it’s a ripper for experienced crew only. We’re looking at a solid 10-foot of SSE swell grinding in with a 10-second period, and the offshore southerly wind is holding it clean. The wave energy is strong, right up there at 1761. It’s a point break setup, so that cleaner line from the southeast direction is gonna wrap in nicely. But let’s be real, with that size and power, this is for the blokes who know how to handle a big, critical wall – beginners, stay on the beach for this one. Water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing weird going on.
The wind stays offshore through Wednesday and Thursday morning, July 8th and 9th, with the swell easing slightly to 8-foot to 10-foot but keeping a long, grunty 11-second period. The wave energy is pumping, hitting over 2000 on Wednesday. The Thursday morning session on the 9th is the real standout: 8-foot of SE swell with a clean 11-second pulse and a moderate offshore breeze from the SSW. That’s gonna be lined up, hollow, and just perfect for a point break. This is the one to circle on the calendar if you can get out there.
Friday the 10th still has a clean 6-foot to 7-foot swell with offshore winds, though the energy drops off into the afternoon. By Saturday morning July 11th, the swell has dropped to 5-foot, but check this – glassy conditions with a NW breeze. That lightest of airs is gonna make for some silky smooth walls. It’s getting smaller but the quality is still there for a fun session.
Then we hit a flat spell. From Saturday afternoon July 11th right through to Sunday July 19th, it’s pretty ordinary. There are a few small, marginal days with cross-shore or onshore winds, and wave heights dropping to 1-foot to 4-foot. Not worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate for a float. The energy is weak, most days sitting well under 500. A few early mornings on the 15th and 16th have glass or offshore winds, but the swell is just too small to get excited about.
Now, hold onto your board, because the second week has a couple of crackers. On Monday afternoon July 20th, a new pulse arrives – 8-foot from the south with a short 8-second period, but the wind is light and cross-off from the southwest, keeping it clean. The combined energy jumps to 1272. This one’s a bit raw and short-period, but it’s a solid wave for the more experienced.
The true standout of the second week is Tuesday July 21st morning. We’ve got 8-foot of south swell, an 11-second period, and a gentle offshore breeze from the south. The energy is strong at 2177. That’s a proper groundswell pushing in with power, and the offshore wind is gonna hold those walls up. It’s only for experts at this size, but if you’re in that bracket, this is the morning to be out there. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 10-foot but the wind goes cross-off and the conditions get trickier.
Wednesday July 22nd morning is a beauty to finish – 8-foot of SSE swell, 11-second period, and completely glassy with no wind. That is about as clean as it gets. The energy is strong at 1214. That’s a session you’ll be talking about.
So, bottom line: the first few days of July are pumping for the experienced crew, with Thursday the 9th and Saturday the 11th mornings being the cleanest. A long quiet stretch follows, then the second week brings two more solid opportunities, especially Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd mornings. If you can time it right, Rainbow Bay is going to deliver.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Mon 13 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1780 | 1676 | 2080 | 3021 | 2289 | 1942 | 1585 | 1168 | 951 | 753 | 910 | 739 | 640 | 432 | 295 | 329 | 341 | 268 | 127 | 90 | 54 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 00:24AM1.53m | 1:25PM1.33m | 1:18AM1.42m | 2:28PM1.41m | 2:21AM1.31m | 3:36PM1.51m | 3:33AM1.23m | 4:41PM1.63m | 4:46AM1.19m | 5:41PM1.76m | 5:54AM1.19m | 6:37PM1.88m | 6:55AM1.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:05AM0.39m | 7:15PM0.62m | 7:54AM0.36m | 8:35PM0.62m | 8:50AM0.33m | 9:58PM0.57m | 9:49AM0.29m | 11:14PM0.48m | 10:49AM0.25m | 00:20AM0.38m | 11:46AM0.21m | 1:18AM0.29m | 12:40PM0.17m | ||||||||
— | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | |
— | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | |
mm | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 12 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 12 | — | ESE 15 | — | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 23 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 9 |
78 | 77 | 46 | — | 21 | — | 1585 | 1168 | 11 | 753 | 670 | 739 | 640 | 432 | 295 | 329 | 341 | 268 | 127 | 90 | 54 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 15 | — | — | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | SSE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
— | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 134 | — | — | 20 | 151 | 96 | 56 | 39 | 48 | 32 | 33 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 20 | S 18 | — | — | — | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 6 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | — | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | W 2 | SSW 9 | — | W 2 | S 8 | — |
1780 | 1676 | 2080 | 3021 | 2289 | 1942 | 1344 | 1128 | 951 | — | 910 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 141 | — | 1 | 66 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











