Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 24 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
20.9° C
0.0° 

Rainbow Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, S swell with 563 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rainbow Bay in the next 16 days are 1.7m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sat 25th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 8s
Best Surf 7AM (Sat 25th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sat 25th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at a solid little window of opportunity for us here at Rainbow Bay. The southeast swell is going to be pumping in from a good direction, and we’ve got a stretch of clean, offshore winds to start. It’s not going to be a perfect two-week run, but there’s one standout that’s got me pretty excited.

Saturday morning, the 25th of July, kicks things off with a clean 3ft southeast swell, period way up at 16 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy, and with a gentle offshore breeze it’s going to be peeling nicely. The combined energy is moderate (720), but the wind is light and offshore, so it’ll be glassy and fun. The afternoon gets a little cross-shore, so the morning is the pick.

Sunday the 26th is a bit smaller, around 3ft, still clean, but the energy drops off (232). Monday the 27th sees a little bump in size to 4ft, with a clean offshore wind again, but the period is shorter (10 seconds) so it’s more ordinary. Tuesday the 28th is small and clean, but nothing to write home about.

Then we hit a real flat spell. From Wednesday the 29th through to the end of the first week of August, it’s tiny. Waves drop below 2ft, combined energy falls into the weak zone (33 to 99), and the conditions are poor. There’s a few days of moderate offshore wind on the 30th and 31st of July, with a bump in size – 6ft to 7ft – but the period is short (6 to 7 seconds) and the energy is moderate (276 to 490). It’s surfable, but lumpy, and the short period makes it a bit of a mess. Honestly, for the kite surfers out there, that Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st afternoon with 6ft and offshore wind could be a better bet for you than a paddle.

The second week of August is a write-off. Monday the 3rd to Friday the 7th is all poor surf, tiny waves, and weak energy. It’s a long gap of disappointing conditions.

But hang on. Look at Sunday the 9th of August. That’s the one. The only true standout in the whole outlook. We’re looking at a 6ft swell from the southeast, but the period jumps to 13 seconds – that’s a long-period groundswell. The combined energy is massive (1946), strong to very strong, and the wind is light and cross-offshore, keeping it clean. This is the best session on offer. It’s bigger than 5ft, so it might be a bit much for beginners, but for everyone else, that’s going to be a day to remember. It’s a point break, so that long period will wrap in beautifully and give you some long, fast rides. Crowds are often a factor here, but on a Sunday with that much swell, expect a few friends out.

So, to sum it up: Saturday the 25th morning is your early-week fun session. The real ace in the hole is Sunday the 9th of August. The rest of the time is a mix of weak, small surf or short-period junk. Keep your eyes on that Sunday.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SSE
8
0.9
SE
16
1.1
SSE
9
1
SSE
10
1
SSE
10
0.9
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
10
1.1
S
10
0.9
SSE
9
0.7
S
9
0.9
S
9
0.8
SSE
8
0.6
SSE
8
0.4
SSE
7
0.3
ENE
6
1.3
SSE
6
1.7
S
6
2.2
SSE
7
1.7
SSE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
295
353
216
218
209
169
227
231
147
81
127
94
49
18
6
127
247
471
261
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
10
S
10
ENE
10
WSW
10
SSE
10
SE
10
SW
15
S
15
S
5
S
5
SSE
10
E
10
WNW
5
SSE
20
SSE
15
S
25
S
25
S
20
S
Wind State
off
off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
off
off
off
off
High Tide
4:18AM1.05m
5:32PM1.59m
5:28AM1.06m
6:20PM1.68m
6:26AM1.10m
7:02PM1.75m
7:15AM1.15m
7:40PM1.80m
7:57AM1.19m
8:16PM1.82m
8:35AM1.24m
8:49PM1.82m
Low Tide
11:21PM0.74m
10:20AM0.49m
00:20AM0.66m
11:16AM0.46m
1:06AM0.57m
12:06PM0.43m
1:46AM0.49m
12:51PM0.41m
2:22AM0.43m
1:33PM0.39m
2:54AM0.38m
2:11PM0.38m
3:26AM0.35m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:31
6:31
6:31
6:30
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:13
5:14
5:14
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
14
17
16
15
17
16
15
16
16
16
18
18
17
19
18
16
17
17
15
Feels °C
10
14
14
14
15
14
14
13
13
14
17
17
16
16
15
13
12
11
10
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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