Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 29 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
20.5°C
0.5° 

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 29 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, SSE swell with 505 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rainbow Bay in the next 16 days are 1.8m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sun 30th Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 6s
Best Surf 7PM (Sun 30th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sun 30th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s look at what Rainbow Bay has cooking over the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a bit of a bleak stretch for the most part, but there are a couple of moments that might get your heart beating.

We start off this Sunday, the 30th of August, with some lumpy, average energy. Swell is around 6ft from the SSE, but it’s short-period at 7 seconds, so it’s a bit weak and wonky. The wind is offshore from the south, which is a huge plus – keeps the surface clean. The combined energy is 338 (moderate), but the wave shape isn't going to be anything special. It’s surfable, but you’ll be working for it.

Monday the 31st stays similar, with a slightly smaller 5ft SSE swell. Offshore wind holds in the morning, giving you clean little lines. The period creeps up to 9 seconds, which adds a touch more push, but the energy drops to 359. Still just ordinary, rideable waves.

Tuesday the 1st of September sees the swell drop right off to 3ft. The wind swings light offshore from the ESE in the morning, so it'll be glassy and clean, but there's barely any power – just 180 energy (weak). Afternoon gets a bit worse as an onshore breeze messes up the surface. This spot is sheltered from the south-east, and with the swell coming from SSE, it does get in, but there’s just not enough to get excited about.

From Wednesday the 2nd right through to the end of the first week and into the second, the surf just fades out. We're looking at tiny waves, mostly under 2ft, with cross-onshore or onshore winds and combined energy dropping below 100 (very weak). The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild. It’s a real flat spell, and Rainbow Bay is going to look like a lake for days on end.

Then, far off on Thursday the 10th of September – over a week away – something pops up. The swell jumps to 7ft from the SSE, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy shoots up to 742 (strong). This is the standout of the entire outlook. But there’s a catch: the wind is from the ENE early, which is cross-shore, and later it turns to a cross-onshore. That's going to chop things up and make it hard to get a clean face. At 7ft, this is solid, getting too big for beginners, but still workable for most experienced surfers. The long 10-second period will bring bigger gaps between sets, so paddling out won't be as brutal.

After that, it drops again. Friday the 11th has 4ft from the SSE but with onshore winds – messy. Then it’s back to tiny windswell through the rest of the run.

So, the honest truth: if you’re desperate for a paddle, the morning of Sunday the 30th or Monday the 31st are your best bets for clean, small waves. The real highlight is Thursday the 10th of September, but you’ll have to deal with questionable wind. It’s not a classic. For now, our sheltered point isn’t firing, and the setup might even be more interesting for a kite than a surfboard on the bigger day. Keep an eye on the long-range, but don’t sell your gear yet.

Stay frothy.
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSE
10
1.8
SSE
7
1.7
SSE
9
1.3
SSE
10
1.4
SSE
9
1.4
SSE
8
1
SSE
8
0.8
SSE
8
0.7
SE
10
0.6
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.5
E
10
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.4
E
10
0.4
E
10
0.4
SSE
10
0.5
S
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
137
286
454
325
294
262
136
82
94
68
75
52
45
45
43
33
33
32
44
Wind (km/h)
20
S
20
S
25
SSE
15
SSW
20
S
25
SE
10
SSW
10
ESE
15
NNE
15
NW
15
NNW
20
N
20
NNW
15
NW
20
N
10
NW
15
SE
10
E
5
SW
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
9:14AM1.45m
9:25PM1.63m
9:51AM1.48m
10:01PM1.53m
10:32AM1.50m
10:41PM1.41m
11:20AM1.50m
11:28PM1.27m
12:19PM1.49m
00:27AM1.14m
1:29PM1.49m
1:44AM1.05m
Low Tide
3:13AM0.24m
3:10PM0.29m
3:43AM0.23m
3:52PM0.31m
4:16AM0.24m
4:39PM0.36m
4:53AM0.26m
5:35PM0.42m
5:38AM0.30m
6:46PM0.49m
6:33AM0.35m
8:15PM0.52m
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:03
6:01
6:00
5:58
5:58
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:31
5:32
 mm
1
Temp °C
17
19
19
17
20
19
17
19
19
18
23
21
19
28
25
21
22
21
20
Feels °C
15
14
15
15
16
15
16
18
17
16
19
18
17
24
22
19
20
21
21
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  • 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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