Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve just had a good look at the charts for Rainbow Bay. There is a slow start but the surf really builds into a solid run of clean, sizey waves, especially for the more experienced surfer. We’re looking at a proper sequence of southerly groundswells that will keep the bay pumping through most of the period.

The forecast opens on Saturday 4 July with tiny, clean waves. A small 2ft swell from the ESE, period at a decent 10 seconds, giving just over 160 units of combined energy. The SSE breeze keeps it clean offshore, but it’s really only enough for a longboard or a small wave grovel. That afternoon gets a better push to 3ft on a 12-second swell, and the water temp is hanging about average for the time of year.

Sunday 5 July is where the fun ramps up. Expect a clean 4ft swell from the SSE on a 10-second period, and combined energy climbs to 458. The offshore wind is solid and it’s an excellent surf. Sets will be well shaped though a little inconsistent. The afternoon sees a hammering of wind from the S at 16 mph, with the swell jumping to 6ft but dropping to a short, messy 6-second period. While there’s wave height, the period is too short to really enjoy for paddling. This is more kite-surfing territory if you’re game.

Monday 6 July brings a serious size spike. 10ft of SSE swell on an 8-second period for the morning, with a massive 1174 combined energy. It’s big but short-period – powerful, peaky, and only for experienced surfers. It will be fast and heavy. The afternoon eases to 8ft with a fresh offshore wind, keeping things clean for the more advanced.

Tuesday 7 July is a standout. The morning serves up 8ft from the SSE with a 9-second period and combined energy of 1282. The offshore wind is howling, so it’s going to be clean and punchy. The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets even better: 10ft of SSE swell, period stretching to 10 seconds, and combined energy at 1773. Clean, powerful, and offshore; this is a genuine big-wave session.

Wednesday 8 July is serious. Morning sees 10ft from SSE at 11 seconds with combined energy of 3994 – that’s a very long groundswell, and at this size and period, it will be a bit straight on the beachies but perfect for a point break like Rainbow Bay. It’s clean, big, and powerful. The afternoon eases nicely to 8ft from the SE at an 11-second period, still offshore, and still quality.

Thursday 9 July is another peak day. The morning is an absolute gem: 8ft of SSE swell at 10 seconds with a combined energy of 2326. Offshore wind, clean, and noted as excellent surf for experienced surfers. This is the pick of the entire period for skill, size, and shape.

From Friday 10 July through Saturday 11 July, we see a slow, clean drop from the 7ft to 5ft range. The southerly groundswell persists with offshore winds, so it remains user-friendly and clean. The period stays at 10 seconds, so there’s still plenty of push.

Sunday 12 July is a rest day. Small 3ft swell from the ESE, but the wind swings cross-on then onshore. The energy is weak at 274 units and the surface will be choppy and messy. A write-off.

Monday 13 July is glassy to clean but tiny – just 2ft from the SE. Very weak energy at 140. It’s surfable with a log but nothing to get excited about. Tuesday 14 July is even smaller at 1ft in the cleaner part of the day, then a weak 4ft from the S with a short 7-second period in the afternoon.

Then, a second push arrives Wednesday 15 July. The morning brings 6ft from the SSE at 10 seconds with 518 units of combined energy. Gentle offshore breeze keeps it clean and rolling. This is a good option for a midweek session. Thursday 16 July is smaller at 4ft from the S, but still clean from a moderate offshore wind.

Finally, the last weekend shows some hope for Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 of July. Both days deliver 7ft to 7ft from the SE/ESE on a shorter 8-second period, but with strong offshore winds and combined energy in the 500s. Good, clean, punchy beach-break style waves for intermediate to advanced.

The real standouts for the period are Tuesday 7 July and Thursday 9 July – both mornings have solid 8ft groundswells, clean offshore winds, and are absolutely world-class for the crew who can handle it. If you’re going for one day, make it Thursday 9 July.

Rusty.

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