Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 22 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 22 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, S swell with 711 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period with ENE 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 (Jul 22) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rainbow Bay in the next 16 days are 1.9m 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 1.0m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Wed 22nd Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 10s
Best Surf 7AM (Sat 25th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 10s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sat 25th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's get into it. The main story for this stretch is a classic Gold Coast run: we've got a solid window of clean, manageable waves kicking off this week, then a big pulse of energy rolls in for the end of the month and into the start of August. The water temp is sitting right on 69.6°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The best bet across the whole period is Rainbow Bay. This little point is the standout. The week starts off sweet. Wednesday morning (22nd July) we've got a 4.9ft easterly swell with a 10-second period and glassy conditions. The combined energy is a solid 462, which is a nice moderate push. It’s a good, clean start for a beginner-friendly wave. The wind holds off and the morning looks clean again on Thursday (23rd) with a 3.9ft easterly swell, though it's a bit more ordinary. Friday morning (24th) is a write-off with strong southerly winds, but the afternoon jumps up to a lumpy 6.9ft, which is getting too big for beginners.

Now, here’s where it gets good. Saturday morning (25th July) is a gem. We’re looking at 5.2ft from the SSE with a 9-second period, glassy conditions, and a combined energy of 762. That’s a moderate, punchy wave for the point. The water is clean, the wind is perfect, and it’s a dream for a longboard or a funboard. The spot is a point break, so it handles the longer swell periods well. Just be aware that it can get crowded here, so get in early.

The energy builds through the end of the week. Monday morning (27th) delivers 4.9ft from the south with a 10-second period under clean offshore winds and a combined energy of 696. It’s good, but it’s not the highlight.

The real headline act is Friday, 31st July. The morning session is firing. We’ve got a solid 9.8ft swell from the SSE with a 10-second period, offshore winds, and a combined energy of 2969. That’s a strong, powerful swell. This is expert territory only – way too big for beginners. The afternoon drops to 7.9ft, still very clean, but still only for the experienced crew. The point will handle this size really well, offering long, fast walls.

After that, the swell backs off. Saturday (1st August) is a more manageable 5.2ft, and Sunday (2nd) is small and clean. The second week looks pretty sleepy. There’s a gap of poor conditions from Monday (3rd) through to Wednesday (5th) with onshore winds and tiny waves. Things might perk up again on Thursday (6th) afternoon with a 3.0ft swell showing a 12-second period and a combined energy of 449, but it’s a long way out and more of a “keep an eye on it” situation.

Overall, get on it this weekend and next Friday. That’s the pick of the litter.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
0
1
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
E
10
1.1
ENE
9
1
ENE
10
1.2
E
8
1.1
E
8
1
E
8
0.8
ENE
8
2.1
SSE
7
2
SSE
8
1.6
SSE
9
1.2
SSE
10
1.2
SSE
10
1
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
10
1.5
S
10
0.9
SSE
9
1
SSE
9
0.9
SSE
9
0.8
SSE
9
0.5
SE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
407
197
179
205
165
134
85
443
497
418
294
263
205
210
232
432
141
158
113
101
33
Wind (km/h)
5
SSE
5
N
10
WNW
0
S
10
ESE
10
SW
25
S
25
S
15
SSW
5
S
10
NNE
10
SW
5
SSE
10
ESE
10
SW
15
S
20
SSE
10
S
15
SSE
10
SE
0
SW
Wind State
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
2:27PM1.37m
1:55AM1.16m
3:34PM1.43m
3:01AM1.08m
4:37PM1.50m
4:18AM1.05m
5:32PM1.59m
5:28AM1.06m
6:20PM1.68m
6:26AM1.10m
7:02PM1.75m
7:15AM1.15m
7:40PM1.80m
Low Tide
8:39PM0.79m
8:25AM0.50m
10:06PM0.79m
9:22AM0.50m
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
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:31
6:31
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:09
5:10
5:10
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:13
 mm
1
Temp °C
18
19
18
19
18
16
16
15
15
17
17
15
17
17
16
18
18
16
17
18
17
Feels °C
18
18
17
18
17
15
11
9
11
15
15
14
15
16
15
15
15
15
15
17
17
  • 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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