Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Rainbow Bay’s got cooking for us over the next couple of weeks.

The outlook opens with a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a proper pulse of energy heading our way mid-week that’s got my attention. The water temp is sitting right on 70°, which is bang on normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Monday morning the 7th kicks things off with a solid 6 ft south swell, 9-second period, and a cross-off breeze. The wave energy is moderate at 832, and the conditions are clean. It’s a good start, but the real standout is headed our way later.

Tuesday morning the 8th sees the swell drop a touch to 4 ft, but we’ve got proper offshore wind from the south at 16 mph. The energy is lighter at 265, but the wind is clean and the waves are surfable. Not a classic, but a window.

Now, Wednesday morning the 9th is where it gets interesting. The swell is 5 ft from the SSE, still 9 seconds, but the wind is dead glassy – barely a breath from the SE. The energy is 338, and the ocean is smooth as silk. For a point break like Rainbow Bay, that’s a setup for some real clean lines. The crowd factor is worth mentioning though – it’s often busy here, so get in early.

Thursday the 10th morning brings a jump in size: 12 ft from the SSE, 9-second period, and a fresh offshore wind from the south at 22 mph. The energy is a beast at 1744. That’s big, powerful, and only for experienced surfers. Beginners will want to sit this one out. The wind is clean, but that size on a sheltered point like Rainbow Bay could be a handful.

Friday the 11th morning is another standout: 8 ft from the SSE, 8-second period, with clean offshore wind. The energy is strong at 1076. This is a solid, powerful swell with good shape. The wind stays true, and the crowds are likely, but the quality is undeniable.

Saturday the 12th afternoon has a 8 ft south-east swell, 8-second period, with offshore wind again. Energy is 593. It’s a good session, but not as crisp as Friday.

From Sunday the 13th, the energy starts to fade. We drop to 5 ft, then smaller, and the winds become more cross-off or onshore. The middle of the second week, around the 15th and 16th, sees a real lull with tiny, weak swells (energy down to 85 or 80). It’s flat for a few days.

There’s a small bump on the 17th (Thursday) afternoon with a 7 ft SSE swell, 7-second period, and 515 energy. The wind is cross-off, but it’s rideable. Then the 18th and 19th are blown out by northerly onshore winds, making it pretty messy.

The final few days, from the 20th onward, are mostly small and weak, with a bit of north wind chop. The 22nd morning has a glassy 4 ft, but it’s short period and low energy – barely a ripple.

If I’m picking the best of the lot, it’s Wednesday morning the 9th for the glassy, clean conditions with a nice 5 ft SSE groundswell, and Friday morning the 11th for the power and punch of an 8 ft SSE swell with strong offshore winds. That Friday is the one to circle on the calendar.

Rusty.

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