Rainbow Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Rainbow Bay is cooking up for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a slow start, but if you can wait, there’s some serious juice coming. The first few days are pretty quiet. Saturday the 11th is the only early window worth jumping on. Water temp is about normal for this time of year.

Saturday, July 11 is your early go-to. Rainbow Bay has a clean 5ft swell from the southeast, period at 10 seconds, and the wind is glassy – dead still. That’s a sweet combo for a point break. The combined energy is moderate (587), and it’s a sheltered spot, so it’ll hold shape nicely. The afternoon cleans up even more with a 4ft swell from the east-southeast, a 12-second period, and still glassy. This is the pick of the early week. Crowds are often here, so get there early.

From Sunday the 12th through to Wednesday the 15th, it’s flat. Swell drops below 3ft, and the wind turns messy on tiny, weak waves. Nothing to get excited about.

Then things get interesting. From Thursday the 16th, a big pulse of swell hits. Thursday morning sees 12ft from the south-southeast, but it’s blowing 35 km/h cross-offshore. That’s a lot of wind. The combined energy is strong (2443), but the conditions are marginal. Friday the 17th keeps the 12ft swell, still with strong cross-off winds around 30 km/h. The energy is very strong (2338–2418), but it’s still a bit rough.

The standout window is Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19. Saturday morning has 12ft from the southeast, 10-second period, with cross-off winds easing to 25 km/h. But the afternoon is where it’s at: same 12ft swell, but the wind switches to a clean offshore breeze from the south-southeast at 25 km/h. The energy is strong (2241), and it’s rated as excellent for experienced surfers. This is big, powerful surf – not for beginners. Sunday morning the 19th is the real gem: 10ft from the southeast, 11-second period, with offshore winds at 20 km/h. Energy is very strong (3829). This will be an absolute freight train at the point. The afternoon eases to 8ft but stays clean with offshore winds. This is the best on offer – big, clean, and powerful.

After that, the swell slowly drops through the rest of the week. Monday the 20th is still fun at 6ft with clean conditions, and Tuesday the 21st is smaller but rideable. Wednesday the 22nd sees a 6ft bump from the southeast with a nice 11-second period and light offshore winds – good for a session.

Thursday the 23rd morning is another standout: 10ft from the south, 11-second period, and absolutely glassy – zero wind. That’s a rare, perfect setup for a point break. The energy is very strong (2957). If you can get out there, it’ll be magic. The afternoon drops to 6ft but stays clean.

Friday the 24th is still solid with 5ft and glassy conditions in the morning, then clean offshore in the afternoon. Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th fade out with smaller, choppier conditions and shorter periods.

Bottom line: the first week is a write-off except for Saturday the 11th. The real deal is from Saturday the 18th through to Thursday the 23rd, with Sunday the 19th and Thursday the 23rd morning being the absolute highlights. This is expert-level surf on the bigger days – heavy, powerful, and clean. Get on it.

Rusty.

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