Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 10 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
20.4° C
0.4° 

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 10 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, ESE swell with 478 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m 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 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Thu 13th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 14th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 8s
Most Powerful10PM (Mon 17th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 7s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s talk Rainbow Bay. It’s a slow start, but there’s a proper window of clean, offshore swell coming. The water’s sitting at 69°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

First up, Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th are a bust. Weak, choppy, cross-onshore junk with tiny swell and poor conditions. Don’t bother.

Wednesday the 12th is a tease – Wednesday morning goes glassy, which is beautiful, but the swell is small and weak, with combined energy at only 116 (low). Not enough to ride. Wednesday afternoon gets a little more energy (172) but the wind swings cross-on and ruins it.

Thursday the 13th is cleaner, but the swell is tiny and weak. Not worth it.

Now, here’s where it gets good. Friday the 14th morning – that’s the one. Offshore wind from the south at 12 mph, and we get a solid 6 ft of south-southeast swell. The combined energy is 488 (moderate), and the period is a decent 9 seconds. Clean, moderate offshore conditions, and Rainbow Bay is a sheltered point, so it’ll handle that swell well. This is the best session. The afternoon stays similar, but the energy drops a little.

Saturday the 15th keeps the run going. Offshore winds from the south at 16 mph, with 6 ft to 6 ft swell from the south. The period drops to 8 seconds, but the energy is still solid (437 to 404). There’s a chance of rain showers, but the wind is offshore and the waves will be clean. This swell is getting a bit overhead for beginners, but manageable for most.

Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th still have surf, but the quality drops. The wind stays offshore or cross-off, but the swell period shortens, and the energy gets messy. By Monday the 17th, we’re looking at 6 ft to 7 ft of east-southeast swell, with combined energy up to 497 (moderate). The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but the wave quality is poor. This might be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th have some size (7 ft) but mixed conditions. Wednesday afternoon looks promising again – light cross-off winds, 7 ft of southeast swell, and combined energy of 547 (moderate). That’s a big, clean swell, but it’s getting into expert territory. The period is only 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit lumpy.

From Thursday the 20th through to Sunday the 23rd, the swell slowly drops back to 3 ft to 4 ft, with lightweight offshore winds. It’s surfable, but nothing special. The combined energy is in the 200 to 300 range (moderate). Sunday the 23rd morning is glassy, which is lovely, but the waves are small.

Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th are back to tiny, onshore junk. Not worth it.

So, the best bet is Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th, especially Friday morning. Clean, offshore, solid chest-to-head-high swell, and moderate energy. That’s the one to circle. After that, it’s a slow fade.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
2
2
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)
0.8
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.6
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.6
E
9
0.5
E
9
1.1
SSE
8
1.6
S
8
1.7
SSE
9
1.6
SSE
9
1.4
SSE
8
1.7
S
8
1.8
S
7
1.5
SSE
7
1.4
SE
6
1.6
SE
7
1.6
SE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
101
78
78
57
87
83
85
63
43
184
349
453
432
232
365
338
205
153
208
226
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
10
WNW
10
WNW
5
ENE
10
WSW
5
WNW
10
WNW
15
W
10
WSW
15
ESE
15
SSW
20
S
25
SSE
15
SSW
25
S
25
S
20
S
20
S
20
S
15
S
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
High Tide
6:24PM1.85m
6:46AM1.21m
7:14PM1.92m
7:36AM1.29m
8:00PM1.95m
8:22AM1.36m
8:43PM1.91m
9:04AM1.40m
9:22PM1.83m
9:44AM1.43m
9:59PM1.70m
10:24AM1.43m
10:33PM1.56m
Low Tide
1:05AM0.24m
12:31PM0.17m
1:51AM0.18m
1:22PM0.14m
2:34AM0.16m
2:09PM0.15m
3:12AM0.18m
2:53PM0.19m
3:48AM0.22m
3:36PM0.27m
4:21AM0.28m
4:18PM0.38m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:20
5:21
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:22
 mm
1
3
4
2
1
4
Temp °C
18
14
21
21
17
21
20
15
20
18
16
18
18
16
19
17
15
16
16
16
Feels °C
13
10
20
19
14
18
17
12
17
14
13
13
13
13
14
14
12
13
13
14
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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