Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, S swell with 946 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 10AM. 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Listen up, crew, Rusty here with the lowdown on Rainbow Bay for the next couple of weeks.
The start of this run is a total bust. Water temp is about average, but the surf is flat as a pancake. We’re looking at a real dry spell until Monday the 7th, when you might finally find a dribbly 0.7m wave with a long 11-second period, but the energy’s weak at just 197. Barely worth waxing up for.
The first real highlight comes Tuesday the 8th. A beefy 2.5m south swell rolls in with a short 8-second period, but it’s got some grunt with a combined energy of 973. Best part? The wind is straight offshore from the south, keeping it clean. This is proper stuff, but make no mistake, at 2.5m, it’s experts only – beginners, stay on the sand. And expect it to be busy, because it can get crowded there.
Then, Wednesday the 9th morning is the real gem of the week. It’s a much friendlier 1.2m swell from the SSE, but the period stretches to 9 seconds, making it feel nice and lined up. Combined energy is a solid 420. And the winds? Dead calm. Glassy smooth. That’s the moment you want to be in the water.
After that, the whole thing fades out again. From the 13th onward, we’re back to tiny dribble – average wave heights around 0.7m to 1.1m, with energy readings barely scraping 100 or less. The wind might be clean, but there’s just no swell. By the 14th, you’re looking at combined energy in the double digits, so don't bother.
Bottom line: The whole first week is a write-off. The score is Tuesday the 8th morning for powerful, expert-only surf, and Wednesday the 9th morning for the clean, glassy fun waves.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | N 5 | N 6 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 10 | S 9 | N 6 | N 6 | E 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 45 | 90 | 108 | 33 | 28 | 27 | 78 | 41 | 104 | 98 | 17 | 28 | 105 | 131 | 88 | 946 | 722 | 637 | 251 | 346 | 309 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 12:19PM1.49m | 00:27AM1.14m | 1:29PM1.49m | 1:44AM1.05m | 2:50PM1.54m | 3:16AM1.03m | 4:06PM1.62m | 4:37AM1.09m | 5:11PM1.72m | 5:40AM1.20m | 6:05PM1.80m | 6:31AM1.32m | 6:53PM1.84m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:46PM0.49m | 6:33AM0.35m | 8:15PM0.52m | 7:45AM0.38m | 9:46PM0.47m | 9:06AM0.38m | 10:58PM0.39m | 10:22AM0.33m | 11:54PM0.29m | 11:26AM0.26m | 00:41AM0.22m | 12:20PM0.20m | 1:21AM0.18m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | | |  | |
 | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — |
 | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 27 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 28 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 23 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | S 6 | SSE 10 | S 9 | E 10 | NNE 6 | N 6 | NNE 6 | S 8 | SSE 10 | S 10 | NE 8 | E 10 | ENE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 45 | 28 | 83 | 45 | 24 | 19 | 78 | 41 | 18 | 58 | 77 | 34 | 72 | 131 | 88 | 11 | 16 | 26 | 251 | 25 | 13 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | E 10 | S 8 | SSE 10 | E 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | NE 5 | NNE 8 | E 10 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 34 | 33 | 28 | 28 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 35 | 11 | 18 | 17 | 28 | 105 | 14 | 45 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 26 | 2 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | NE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 14 | SSE 10 | E 10 | S 9 | E 10 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | E 9 | — | N 8 | — | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 33 | 33 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 7 | 15 | — | 1 | — | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | SE 3 | SE 5 | — | NE 5 | — | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 41 | 90 | 108 | 1 | — | — | — | 31 | 104 | 98 | 2 | 69 | — | 24 | — | 946 | 722 | 637 | 138 | 346 | 309 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 40 | 79 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 54 | 265 | 40 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 204 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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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