
Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SSE swell with 3,074 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 12s period. 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 0.7m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s comin’ our way.
We’ve got a solid start to the forecast, but it’s not for everyone. The standout is Rainbow Bay, a sheltered point break that handles the size well. The first few days pack a punch, then it really fades into a long quiet stretch.
Wednesday the 8th of July kicks off with a 10-foot swell from the southeast, 11-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, with strong energy. Winds are a moderate offshore from the south, keeping it clean. But at over 8 feet, this is strictly for experienced surfers. Water temp is about average for this time of year. The afternoon holds steady with the same size, still offshore.
Thursday the 9th is another big one. Morning brings a 8-foot swell from the south-southeast, 11-second period, with strong energy. Winds are a moderate offshore from the south-southwest, so it’s clean. Still expert territory. Afternoon drops to a 7-foot swell, 10-second period, still decent.
Friday the 10th is good for the experienced crew. Morning sees a 7-foot swell from the south-southeast, 10-second period, with strong energy. A gentle offshore breeze from the south-southwest keeps it clean. Afternoon drops to 7 feet, still fun.
Now, Saturday the 11th of July is the one for the wider crew. Morning is glassy with a light north-northwest breeze, and the swell drops to 5 feet from the southeast, 10-second period. This is clean, manageable, and the crowd factor is “often” at Rainbow Bay, so expect company. This is the best on offer for the intermediate surfer. The afternoon turns onshore, so get in early.
Sunday the 12th to Wednesday the 15th is a flat spell, with swell dropping below 3 feet and energy weak. Not worth paddling out.
Thursday the 16th sees a tiny pulse of 4 feet from the south-southeast, but period is a short 6 seconds, energy weak. It’s surfable, but ordinary.
Friday the 17th brings a rebound to 7 feet from the south-southeast, 9-second period, with a moderate offshore breeze. But it’s still short period, and the morning has rain. Afternoon is a bit better, but not a standout.
From Saturday the 18th onwards, it’s a struggle. The wind gets up to a fresh 19 mph offshore, but the swell period drops to 7 or 8 seconds, and the energy fades into the weak to moderate range. The waves are small, weak, and generally poor. The 21st has a glassy morning, but the swell is only 4 feet from the east with a short 7-second period. It’s a long week of flat to ordinary conditions.
So, to sum it up: the real action is Wednesday the 8th through to Saturday morning the 11th. The standout is Saturday morning the 11th at Rainbow Bay – 5 feet, glassy, clean, and a good point break. It’s the one to aim for. The rest of the run is either too big for most, or just too weak.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tue 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3074 | 2252 | 1978 | 1695 | 1207 | 967 | 862 | 928 | 788 | 549 | 341 | 347 | 317 | 253 | 182 | 98 | 76 | 143 | 99 | 46 | 25 | |
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 | cross-off | glassy | on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 7:29PM1.97m | 7:49AM1.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 2:10AM0.22m | 1:31PM0.16m | ||||||||
— | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | |
— | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | |
mm | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 15 | — | SE 12 | SE 11 | S 23 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | ESE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 |
— | 21 | — | 614 | 1168 | 11 | 862 | 657 | 788 | 549 | 341 | 221 | 317 | 253 | 182 | 98 | 76 | 143 | 99 | 46 | 25 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | E 12 | ESE 16 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SSE 8 | S 9 | SSE 8 | N 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 4 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 100 | 3 | 24 | 242 | 347 | 57 | 39 | 24 | 2 | 56 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 20 | S 20 | S 17 | — | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | E 11 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | SE 8 | SE 7 | ESE 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 8 | 6 | — | 3 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 21 | 10 | 2 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | — | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 4 | W 3 | SSW 8 | — | — | ESE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 4 |
3074 | 2252 | 1978 | 1695 | 1207 | 967 | — | 928 | — | — | — | — | 10 | 9 | 5 | 51 | — | — | 5 | 13 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 |
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.











