Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, my salty friends, Rusty here again, giving you the lowdown in feet and miles per hour, 'cause that’s how we feel it.

Looking at the next 16 days at Rainbow Bay, it's a quiet stretch. Nothing is hitting the stand-out mark, so don't get your hopes up for a barrel. There's a long dry spell before you can even find a slow, weak wave. Don't worry, though; it'll come around, but you'll have to be picky.

Rainbow Bay is a sheltered point break that likes a SE swell. Water temp is around 69°, which is dead average for this time of year.

Forget the first week. From August 21st through the 24th, it's all "poor surf conditions" – knee-high mush and messy winds. Not worth walking down the beach for.

Finally, on Monday, August 24th in the morning, we get a weak pulse. The report shifts to "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." The swell is a tiny 2 ft from the E, with a period of 8 seconds, and a light cross-offshore breeze. The surface will be clean, but the energy is weak (122). That afternoon is the same story: 3 ft from ENE. This is the best you'll get for a few days, and it's barely a ripple.

Tuesday, August 25th morning, the wind goes glassy—offshore, NNE at 3 mph—and the waves are 3 ft from ENE, period 8 seconds. The water will be flat calm, but the waves are small and weak, with 179 combined energy (moderate). The afternoon onshore wind trashes it.

There's a run of clean conditions from Wednesday, August 27th morning through Thursday, September 3rd, but the swell never gets over 4 ft (mostly between 3 ft and 4 ft). The winds are light cross-offshore or offshore, which is a huge plus for clean faces. The moderate offshore wind on August 27th morning (12 mph) will smooth it out, but it's still only 4 ft from ENE.

On Tuesday, September 1st morning, another moderate offshore breeze (SSW, 12 mph) cleans up a 4 ft wave from the E, period 8 seconds. Surfable, but still "very ordinary."

By Wednesday, September 2nd afternoon, the period bumps to 11 seconds and energy hits 248 (moderate), but it's still just 3 ft from the E. That longer period will help it stand up a bit, but the size is tiny.

The last few days, September 4th and 5th, bring small SSE swell with onshore winds. Poor conditions. Stay home.

If you’re desperate, the best windows for a longboard are Monday, August 24th morning and Tuesday, August 25th morning when the wind is glassy or light. The waves will be clean but small. Beginners will have a safe, easy paddle, and everyone else can practice their nose rides.

The pick of the litter? Rainbow Bay, on Monday, August 24th morning. It’s got 2 ft from the E, light cross-offshore winds, and clean but weak energy. Tuesday morning, August 25th, with glassy conditions and 3 ft from ENE, is a close second.

Rusty.

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