Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, SE swell with 515 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with ESE 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 (Aug 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s 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 1.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM. 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here, giving you the lowdown on Rainbow Bay in feet and degrees. Let’s break it down.
It’s a slow burner. The first proper surf worth paddling out for isn’t until next Monday morning, the 19th. We’ve got a few days of tiny, weak junk before that, so no rush.
Monday 19th August is the one to circle. Wednesday morning is looking clean. We’ve got a solid 5ft SE groundswell with a nice 11-second period. The wind will be light offshore from the SSE, which will groom the point into some sweet, long lines. Water temp is sitting around 68°, which is a touch cooler than usual, but nothing crazy. This is your session.
The rest of that week goes downhill fast. Thursday the 20th is still surfable but messy, with a lumpy 5ft ESE swell and a shorter period, and the wind turns cross-off. From Friday the 21st through to the start of the next week, the waves completely flatten out. We’re talking tiny 2-3ft junk with onshore winds and weak energy. Not worth paddling out for.
There is a flash of something special for the experienced crew late in the month. Sunday 30th August afternoon is a serious standout for those who know what they’re doing. A very long period 19-second SE swell will be roaring in with massive energy. At a point break, that period gives you powerful, clean sets, but it can be a bit straight and tricky. Expect solid 3-4ft faces with a gentle offshore breeze. This is advanced territory.
The end of the month and into September still has some background bumps, but the conditions are messy and the energy tails off.
So, for everyone, get in the water Wednesday morning the 19th. For the experts after some real punch, watch Sunday afternoon the 30th of August.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 500 | 515 | 478 | 296 | 327 | 308 | 90 | 59 | 79 | 68 | 89 | 137 | 105 | 105 | 104 | 93 | 91 | 89 | 92 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:37PM1.27m | 12:37PM1.37m | 00:13AM1.15m | 1:39PM1.36m | 1:05AM1.04m | 2:53PM1.38m | 2:27AM0.98m | 4:06PM1.44m | 4:06AM0.98m | 5:05PM1.53m | 5:19AM1.04m | 5:52PM1.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:55AM0.45m | 6:48PM0.73m | 6:34AM0.50m | 8:12PM0.80m | 7:27AM0.55m | 9:52PM0.79m | 8:38AM0.57m | 11:07PM0.72m | 9:53AM0.56m | 11:58PM0.62m | 10:57AM0.52m | 00:38AM0.52m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | SE 11 | ENE 7 | SE 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 131 | 515 | 68 | 296 | 327 | 308 | 90 | 59 | 79 | 68 | 89 | 137 | 105 | 105 | 104 | 93 | 91 | 89 | 92 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | — | — | NE 6 | ESE 7 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 |
| kJ | 92 | 102 | 68 | 48 | — | — | 40 | 40 | 29 | 27 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 17 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | S 11 | S 9 | S 9 | — | — | E 7 | SSE 8 | S 13 | E 13 | E 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | S 6 | SE 7 | NE 10 | NE 9 | S 12 | — |
| kJ | 129 | 35 | 27 | 6 | — | — | 51 | 39 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 12 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | — | SE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 4 |
| kJ | 500 | — | 478 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 203 | 1 | 1 | 54 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 5 | 204 | 12 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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