
Surf Forecasts:
Rainbow Bay surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, SSE swell with 1,998 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rainbow Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Rainbow Bay’s got cooking for us over the next couple of weeks.
The outlook opens with a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a proper pulse of energy heading our way mid-week that’s got my attention. The water temp is sitting right on 70°, which is bang on normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Monday morning the 7th kicks things off with a solid 6 ft south swell, 9-second period, and a cross-off breeze. The wave energy is moderate at 832, and the conditions are clean. It’s a good start, but the real standout is headed our way later.
Tuesday morning the 8th sees the swell drop a touch to 4 ft, but we’ve got proper offshore wind from the south at 16 mph. The energy is lighter at 265, but the wind is clean and the waves are surfable. Not a classic, but a window.
Now, Wednesday morning the 9th is where it gets interesting. The swell is 5 ft from the SSE, still 9 seconds, but the wind is dead glassy – barely a breath from the SE. The energy is 338, and the ocean is smooth as silk. For a point break like Rainbow Bay, that’s a setup for some real clean lines. The crowd factor is worth mentioning though – it’s often busy here, so get in early.
Thursday the 10th morning brings a jump in size: 12 ft from the SSE, 9-second period, and a fresh offshore wind from the south at 22 mph. The energy is a beast at 1744. That’s big, powerful, and only for experienced surfers. Beginners will want to sit this one out. The wind is clean, but that size on a sheltered point like Rainbow Bay could be a handful.
Friday the 11th morning is another standout: 8 ft from the SSE, 8-second period, with clean offshore wind. The energy is strong at 1076. This is a solid, powerful swell with good shape. The wind stays true, and the crowds are likely, but the quality is undeniable.
Saturday the 12th afternoon has a 8 ft south-east swell, 8-second period, with offshore wind again. Energy is 593. It’s a good session, but not as crisp as Friday.
From Sunday the 13th, the energy starts to fade. We drop to 5 ft, then smaller, and the winds become more cross-off or onshore. The middle of the second week, around the 15th and 16th, sees a real lull with tiny, weak swells (energy down to 85 or 80). It’s flat for a few days.
There’s a small bump on the 17th (Thursday) afternoon with a 7 ft SSE swell, 7-second period, and 515 energy. The wind is cross-off, but it’s rideable. Then the 18th and 19th are blown out by northerly onshore winds, making it pretty messy.
The final few days, from the 20th onward, are mostly small and weak, with a bit of north wind chop. The 22nd morning has a glassy 4 ft, but it’s short period and low energy – barely a ripple.
If I’m picking the best of the lot, it’s Wednesday morning the 9th for the glassy, clean conditions with a nice 5 ft SSE groundswell, and Friday morning the 11th for the power and punch of an 8 ft SSE swell with strong offshore winds. That Friday is the one to circle on the calendar.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the S by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
476 | 461 | 227 | 225 | 362 | 494 | 322 | 288 | 208 | 1707 | 1684 | 1109 | 1068 | 881 | 763 | 502 | 574 | 509 | 316 | 277 | 122 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | glassy | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 5:11PM1.72m | 5:40AM1.20m | 6:05PM1.80m | 6:31AM1.32m | 6:53PM1.84m | 7:16AM1.42m | 7:36PM1.83m | 7:57AM1.50m | 8:16PM1.77m | 8:36AM1.55m | 8:52PM1.67m | 9:13AM1.57m | 9:26PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:22AM0.33m | 11:54PM0.29m | 11:26AM0.26m | 00:41AM0.22m | 12:20PM0.20m | 1:21AM0.18m | 1:09PM0.16m | 1:59AM0.17m | 1:54PM0.17m | 2:33AM0.19m | 2:37PM0.22m | 3:04AM0.23m | 3:18PM0.30m | 3:34AM0.29m | |||||||
5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | |
— | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | NE 8 | NE 7 | E 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 15 | S 23 | SSE 23 | E 14 | E 13 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 6 |
341 | 461 | 227 | 24 | 8 | 15 | 322 | 288 | 208 | 4 | 11 | 52 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 16 | 3 | 291 | 316 | 277 | 76 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 7 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 12 | S 19 | S 23 | E 15 | E 13 | S 22 | NE 15 | E 14 | NE 14 | E 7 | SSE 18 | SE 20 | SSE 8 |
13 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 56 | 29 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 72 | 31 | 15 | 122 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | N 9 | — | NE 6 | NE 6 | E 8 | E 15 | — | — | N 16 | N 16 | — | NE 16 | NE 15 | SSE 18 | E 13 | E 13 | E 10 |
15 | 15 | 15 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 13 | 4 | — | — | 5 | 5 | — | 10 | 8 | 32 | 3 | 3 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | — | S 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — |
476 | — | — | 225 | 362 | 494 | — | — | — | 1707 | 1684 | 1109 | 1068 | 881 | 763 | 502 | 574 | 509 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 176 | 0 | 324 | 324 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 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.










