Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 1,482 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 8s. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, the first few days don’t look like much. Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are a write-off – tiny, wonky waves that aren’t worth paddling out for. Hold your horses. Things start to get interesting on Monday the 7th. We’ve got a bit of a wait, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
Monday morning, the 7th, brings a clean 3 ft swell from the south with a period of 8 seconds. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the SSE, so the surface will be clean. It’s not a world-beater, but it’s the first real sign of life. The combined energy is moderate (150). The standout, and I mean the real standout, is going to be Thursday the 10th. Thursday morning we’re looking at a solid 8 ft swell from the SSE, with a period of 7 seconds. That’s already a decent size, but it’s the afternoon that gets the heart pumping. Thursday afternoon delivers a 10 ft swell from the SSE, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is a massive 1067 – that’s strong wave energy. The wind is a fresh offshore from the SSE, so it’ll be clean. This is a big swell, pushing past 8 ft, so this is one for the experienced crew only. Beginners, stay on the beach for this one.
Friday the 11th still has plenty of push, with a 7 ft to 6 ft swell from the SSE. The wind is clean and offshore, making it a solid option for those who can handle it. The energy remains high (1002 and 893).
After that, the swell backs off a bit but stays surfable. Saturday the 12th has a 5 ft to 4 ft swell with gentle offshore winds, making for clean conditions. The energy is moderate (385 and 342). Sunday the 13th is smaller, around 3 ft, but still clean.
Later in the second week, around the 18th, there’s a bit of a bump from the SSE again, but the wind is messy and cross-onshore, so it’s not going to be great. The best window is definitely the 10th and 11th. That Thursday afternoon, the 10th, is the one to circle. The water temperature is around average for this time of year, so you’ll be fine in a spring suit.
Rainbow Bay is a sheltered point break, so it handles a south swell well. The crowds can be an issue here, so expect company on the better days. But for that Thursday afternoon session, it’ll be worth the fight for a wave.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the S by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSE 10 | E 9 | S 10 | S 9 | E 10 | N 6 | N 6 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | E 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 33 | 33 | 27 | 96 | 41 | 32 | 69 | 127 | 20 | 161 | 190 | 138 | 171 | 16 | 453 | 490 | 443 | 264 | 320 | 1082 | 1473 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 1:29PM1.49m | 1:44AM1.05m | 2:50PM1.54m | 3:16AM1.03m | 4:06PM1.62m | 4:37AM1.09m | 5:11PM1.72m | 5:40AM1.20m | 6:05PM1.80m | 6:31AM1.32m | 6:53PM1.84m | 7:16AM1.42m | 7:36PM1.83m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:15PM0.52m | 7:45AM0.38m | 9:46PM0.47m | 9:06AM0.38m | 10:58PM0.39m | 10:22AM0.33m | 11:54PM0.29m | 11:26AM0.26m | 00:41AM0.22m | 12:20PM0.20m | 1:21AM0.18m | 1:09PM0.16m | 1:59AM0.17m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | |  | | |  |  |  | | |
 | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — |
 | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
Temp °C | 23 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 29 | 29 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 12 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 26 | 28 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 6 | 9 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | S 6 | S 10 | S 9 | E 10 | SSE 9 | E 10 | NNE 6 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SSE 20 |
| kJ | 46 | 25 | 9 | 96 | 41 | 32 | 17 | 17 | 51 | 161 | 190 | 138 | 24 | 15 | 16 | 490 | 443 | 264 | 14 | 15 | 237 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | E 10 | SSE 8 | E 10 | SSE 9 | E 10 | NNE 6 | SE 11 | NE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | E 15 | SE 25 | E 8 |
| kJ | 28 | 28 | 11 | 10 | 28 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 63 | 35 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 4 | 25 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 14 | SSE 10 | SE 6 | S 20 | S 8 | E 4 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | — | — | NNE 6 | E 16 | NE 6 | E 15 | E 15 | E 15 |
| kJ | 33 | 33 | 27 | 27 | 19 | 20 | 1 | 7 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | SSE 4 | — | — | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | N 6 | N 6 | SSE 5 | — | ESE 4 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 5 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | SSE 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 5 | 12 | — | — | 10 | 31 | 69 | 127 | 86 | — | 6 | — | 171 | 94 | 453 | — | — | — | 320 | 1082 | 1473 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 41 | 41 | 16 | 1 | 40 | 12 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 142 | 0 | 1 | 651 | 41 | 41 | 1055 | 1 |
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.
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