Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, SSE swell with 561 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. 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 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
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 Rainbow Bay has in store for us.
There's a bit of a slow start through the end of August and into the first week of September, with a lot of poor conditions and small swell. The first real glimmer of hope shows up from Saturday the 30th of August into Sunday the 31st. We've got a moderate southerly breeze keeping it offshore, and the swell is building. Saturday afternoon sees a clean 6 ft from the SSE with moderate energy (491), and Sunday morning pushes up to a fun 6 ft from the SSE, but the period drops to just 7 seconds, which is short-period wind swell. It'll be bumpy, but still surfable for those keen to get a paddle in. The crowds at Rainbow Bay are often around, so don't expect it to be empty.
The best of the whole outlook? Without a doubt, Monday the 8th of September and Tuesday the 9th. On Monday morning, the wind swings offshore from the S at 12 mph. The swell is a clean 4 ft from the SSE, but the real story is the combined energy – a solid 469 – and the period jumps to 9 seconds. It's a proper groundswell setup with clean, offshore conditions. Tuesday morning is even cleaner with a light offshore from the S at 12 mph, and the period stretches to a very long 15 seconds from the SE. The energy is strong at 736. This is the kind of long-period groundswell that will wrap beautifully into the point at Rainbow Bay. It's going to be organized, have good shape, and long waits between sets. For the experienced surfer, this is the standout session of the whole two weeks.
Water temp is sitting at a mild 69°, which is about average for the time of year, so no wetsuit worries.
After that, the second week fades out quickly. The energy drops off, and the winds turn cross-off or onshore, with poor conditions through to the 12th of September.
So to wrap it up: get in the water Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st of August if you're desperate, but the real brilliance is Monday the 8th and Tuesday the 9th of September. That's the one to circle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | N 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 256 | 268 | 359 | 302 | 339 | 50 | 356 | 443 | 114 | 220 | 319 | 172 | 101 | 113 | 97 | 98 | 80 | 55 | 48 | 44 | 57 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:18PM1.75m | 8:40AM1.41m | 8:51PM1.71m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:53PM0.32m | 2:43AM0.27m | 2:31PM0.29m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 26 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | E 8 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | SSE 10 | E 9 | E 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 256 | 33 | 359 | 302 | 55 | 50 | 36 | 42 | 72 | 36 | 22 | 172 | 101 | 113 | 97 | 95 | 80 | 45 | 47 | 44 | 46 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | SE 13 | E 8 | E 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | E 15 | NE 12 | E 9 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | E 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 45 | 63 | 51 | 54 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 41 | 35 | 30 | 22 | 74 | 71 | 71 | 98 | 67 | 55 | 48 | 31 | 33 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 9 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 11 | NE 10 | N 6 | NE 15 | N 15 | NE 13 | NE 13 | E 12 | E 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 15 | SE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 8 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 36 | 20 | 23 | 34 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 9 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | SSE 10 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | NNW 2 | NNW 3 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | N 5 |
| kJ | — | 268 | 17 | 21 | 339 | 184 | 356 | 443 | 114 | 220 | 319 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 22 | 57 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 170 | 1 | 1 | 176 | 1 | 1 | 243 | 1 |
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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