Rainbow Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.16° S 153.55° E

Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rainbow Bay sea temperature is
21.0° C
0.1° 

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 20 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, ESE swell with 1,201 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period with ESE 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 2.0m 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 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Tue 21st Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 10s
Best Surf10AM (Tue 21st Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 10s
Most Powerful 7AM (Tue 21st Jul)8ft (2.5m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Rainbow Bay over the next couple of weeks.

The big news is that we’ve got a solid pulse of swell coming in right away, but it’s not going to stick around. The first few days are the real deal, then we’re looking at a lot of small, ordinary days. There’s a standout early on, but after that, you’ll be waiting for a glassy moment to make the most of what’s left.

Tuesday, July 21st – This is the call. This morning, we’ve got a powerful 8ft ESE swell, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is a massive 1860, so there’s plenty of push. The wind is offshore from the SSE, and the water is about average for this time of year. This is going to be a heavy, clean point break session. It’s a bit big for beginners, but for anyone with some experience, you’ll be licking your lips. The crowd is often there, but for waves like this, you won’t mind. The afternoon drops to a 7ft easterly swell, still clean, but the energy is lower (784). Still a great day for a paddle.

Wednesday, July 22nd – The swell drops to 5ft from the east, but the wind is light offshore in the morning, and then it goes glassy in the afternoon with a 4ft ENE swell. That afternoon glass-off is a real treat. The period is 10 seconds, so it’ll have good shape. Combined energy in the afternoon is 433. This is a classic, mellow Rainbow Bay session.

Thursday, July 23rd – The swell is dropping into the 4ft to 4ft range from the east, with a period dropping to 8 seconds. The morning is glassy, but the energy is low (226). It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about. The afternoon is clean but small.

Friday, July 24th – A bit of a weird day. Morning has a tiny 3ft ENE swell, but the wind is strong offshore. The afternoon sees a spike in size to 6ft from the SSE, but the period is a short 6 seconds, and it’s still blowing 15 mph. The energy is a moderate 361, but the short period and strong wind mean it’s poor. This one looks more like a kite surfing day than a paddle surfing day.

Saturday, July 25th – The morning is a quiet 4ft from the SSE, with light offshore wind and a 9-second period. Energy is 558. It’s clean, but the swell direction is not ideal for this sheltered point. The afternoon is a write-off due to a cross-onshore wind.

Sunday, July 26th through Monday, August 4th – This is a long stretch of mostly small, ordinary surf. We’re talking waves between 1ft and 4ft, with weak energy mostly under 300. The wind is often offshore or glassy, so the conditions are clean, but the lack of swell is the problem. There’s a brief spike on the morning of Thursday, July 30th with a 4ft SSE swell and 230 energy, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s messy.

Tuesday, August 4th – Finally, a glimmer. The morning is glassy with a 2ft swell from the SE, but the period is a very long 15 seconds. The combined energy is a solid 418. This is a groundswell, and at a point break like Rainbow Bay, it’ll wrap in nicely. The waves will be small, but the shape will be fantastic. The long period means longer gaps between sets, but it’s worth the paddle out. The afternoon is clean but ordinary.

The rest of the window into early August is small, clean, and not very exciting. There’s a gap of several days where it’s really just a wait-and-see situation.

The standout is hands down Tuesday, July 21st morning. The 8ft ESE swell with offshore wind is the best we’ve got. The other notable moment is the glassy Wednesday afternoon, and the long-period groundswell on Tuesday, August 4th morning is a good deep cut for the patient surfer.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon night, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu night, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
2
2
2
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
2
0
0
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
ESE
10
2.3
ESE
10
2
E
9
1.7
E
9
1.6
E
10
1.1
ENE
10
1.4
E
9
1.2
E
8
1.1
E
8
1
E
8
0.9
ENE
7
1.7
SSE
6
1.5
SSE
7
1.3
SSE
9
0.9
SE
15
0.8
S
9
0.9
SSE
10
0.9
SSE
10
0.9
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1652
999
690
465
463
218
306
205
161
134
78
219
228
308
309
113
169
166
155
Wind (km/h)
20
SSE
20
SSE
15
SE
10
S
5
S
5
NE
10
WNW
0
S
10
SE
15
SW
20
S
25
SSE
15
SSW
5
S
10
NNE
10
WNW
5
S
15
SE
10
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
00:22AM1.41m
1:25PM1.34m
1:04AM1.28m
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
Low Tide
6:55AM0.45m
7:21PM0.73m
7:37AM0.48m
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
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:08
5:09
5:10
5:10
5:12
5:12
 mm
1
2
1
1
Temp °C
18
18
18
17
18
18
17
18
18
17
17
15
14
17
17
16
17
17
16
Feels °C
14
15
16
15
18
18
16
17
17
15
13
9
10
15
15
13
15
15
15
  • Map Icons:
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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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