Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, S swell with 369 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with E 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 (Jul 23) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 1.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, let’s talk Rainbow Bay in proper numbers.
The start is pretty slow. Thursday the 23rd of July, you’ve got a tiny 4ft east swell with a short 8-second period, energy reading 226. It’s glassy in the morning so you could snag a couple if you’re desperate, but the afternoon turns ugly with sideshore wind.
Friday the 24th is a dud in the morning with just 3ft, though clean offshore wind. That afternoon ramps to 7ft from the SSE (445 energy) but a short 7-second period – gonna be bumpy and closed out.
Saturday the 25th morning is the first real highlight. Only 3ft from the SE, but the period jumps to a very long 16 seconds (809 energy). Light offshore wind. That’s proper groundswell – clean, lined-up waves for the point. Best early call, but expect long lulls between sets.
Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th mornings are similar with 3ft swells, clean winds, and 10-second periods. Surfable for a longboard, nothing special. Tuesday and Wednesday fade out.
Then things get serious. Thursday the 30th of July morning sees 8ft from the SSE (710 energy) with a fresh offshore. That’s expert territory already. Quality is a bit rough. Afternoon holds 8ft (1295 energy) – powerful.
Friday the 31st morning: 10ft from the south, 12-second period, and a massive 3701 energy reading. That is proper strong. Moderate offshore keeps it clean, but this is strictly for the experienced. Heavy stuff.
The absolute standout session is Saturday the 1st of August morning. You’re looking at 8ft from the SSE, 11-second period, and 2749 energy with moderate offshore wind. Excellent, powerful, well-shaped waves for those who know what they’re doing. That’s the one.
Sunday the 2nd stays fun at 7ft with a gentle offshore. It eases through the next few days.
Then Thursday the 6th of August morning: another monster pulse at 13ft from the SE, 9-second period, 2310 energy. Moderate offshore wind. That’s massive and heavy – experts only, no question.
Friday the 7th drops to 8ft but the fresh cross-off wind messes with the quality.
So, bottom line: first few days are weak. Saturday the 25th morning is a clean long-period surprise. The real heavy standouts are Saturday the 1st and Thursday the 6th of August mornings – big, powerful, for experts. Rainbow can get busy when it’s pumping, so paddle out early.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SE 16 | SE 14 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 205 | 161 | 134 | 107 | 260 | 254 | 358 | 234 | 222 | 169 | 135 | 194 | 160 | 115 | 110 | 103 | 72 | 33 | 51 | 52 | 43 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 7:57AM1.19m | 8:16PM1.82m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:33PM0.39m | 2:54AM0.38m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — |
 | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 7 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 8 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 205 | 161 | 134 | 107 | 49 | 254 | 306 | 165 | 222 | 169 | 135 | 194 | 160 | 115 | 110 | 103 | 72 | 21 | 51 | 10 | 43 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 10 | E 12 | ESE 8 | E 9 | SE 16 | SE 14 | ESE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 5 | ESE 11 | S 8 | S 8 | SE 7 | S 7 |
| kJ | 18 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 20 | 87 | 358 | 234 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 11 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 17 | 25 | 33 | 18 | 12 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 10 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 15 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ESE 12 | E 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | E 12 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 28 | 103 | 76 | 18 | 12 | 57 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 26 | 4 | 21 | 14 | 11 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | — | — | S 4 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | SSW 2 | — | — | SSW 3 | SSE 3 | ESE 4 | — | E 4 | — | SSW 3 | ENE 6 | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | 28 | 260 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 6 | 11 | — | 9 | — | 1 | 52 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 204 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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