Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, SSE swell with 741 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period with S 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 1.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. 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 2.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Howdy, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming up at Rainbow Bay over the next couple of weeks. It's a tale of two halves – a lot of quiet, flat days to start, but a couple of beauties in the second week if you've got the patience.
Water's sitting right about normal for the time of year, around 69°F, nothing to write home about. The first week and a bit, though, is pretty dire. From Sunday the 9th through most of the second week, we've got a long stretch of poor conditions. Swell's tiny, mostly under 3ft, with short-period wind swell and onshore or cross-shore winds blowing it out. The combined swell energy is weak, barely hitting triple digits – we're talking 118 to 199. Not much to get excited about.
We start to see a little life on Thursday the 13th, but it's still nothing special. Friday the 14th morning brings a clean 7ft swell from the SSE with a moderate offshore breeze from the south. The combined energy jumps to 658, a solid moderate energy level. The wave guys call it "expect good surf conditions," so it's a window, but not the main event. Friday afternoon stays clean but a little smaller.
The real standout is Saturday the 22nd of August. This is the one. Saturday morning looks unreal. We've got a solid 10ft swell from the ESE with a long period of 10 seconds, pumping combined energy all the way up to 3275 – that's very strong energy. Winds are light from the SE, keeping it clean with a nice cross-offshore flow. The forecast says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." At that size, it's definitely for the experienced crew only, but the quality of the swell and the clean winds will be world-class. Saturday afternoon the swell drops to 8ft, but the wind goes cross-onshore, so the morning is the go.
Sunday the 23rd looks messy again, so that Saturday morning is your gold. Sunday the 24th cleans up a bit with a longer period of 11 seconds, but the swell's smaller, around 5ft to 6ft, and the energy is still good. It's a solid option for a late session, but not the same level as that Saturday.
Rainbow Bay can get busy, especially on a good day, so expect a crowd for that Saturday morning. For the quality on offer, it'll be a party in the water.
Bottom line: a long stretch of poor conditions, then a killer Saturday morning on the 22nd of August. Get ready for it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Mon morning, calm by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 150 | 146 | 116 | 126 | 99 | 78 | 78 | 85 | 83 | 87 | 63 | 59 | 309 | 741 | 627 | 572 | 429 | 318 | 292 | 102 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 5:27PM1.74m | 5:48AM1.14m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:12AM0.33m | 11:35AM0.22m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 8 |
| kJ | 150 | 146 | 116 | 266 | 102 | 51 | 37 | 85 | 83 | 87 | 63 | 43 | 43 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 54 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | SSE 8 | S 7 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | S 10 | S 5 | NNE 5 | N 5 | NE 8 | NE 8 | N 7 | NE 9 | SE 21 | SE 20 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 33 | 7 | 1 | 126 | 99 | 78 | 78 | 22 | 13 | 51 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 16 | 32 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 7 | S 8 | E 13 | W 4 | — | — | S 9 | S 9 | NE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | NE 7 | N 10 | — | N 9 | S 20 | N 11 | S 16 | SE 19 |
| kJ | 13 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | — | — | 2 | 13 | 4 | 24 | 16 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 3 | NNE 5 | N 6 | N 7 | WSW 3 | — | — | WSW 2 | SW 4 | N 4 | WSW 3 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 3 | 83 | 239 | 366 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 7 | 35 | 2 | 59 | 309 | 741 | 627 | 572 | 429 | 318 | 292 | 102 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 243 | 174 | 157 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 142 | 0 |
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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