Rainbow Rocks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’.

Honestly, for the next few days, it’s gonna be a bit of a slow grind. The swell is small and the conditions are just okay, not really worth paddling out for. You’re looking at a run of marginal days from Tuesday the 25th of August through to at least the start of September. The wave energy is mostly weak, hanging around the 280s to 560s (combined swell energy) for a while. The water temp is 58°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real flicker of life shows up on Saturday the 29th of August. Rainbow Rocks gets a little bump to about 4ft from the SSW with a nice long period of 18 seconds. That afternoon the wind goes cross-offshore from the NW at 12 mph, and it cleans right up. Wave energy jumps to 1018 (moderate), so there’s some punch there. It’s not huge, but it’s the best you’ll see in the first week. This spot (Rainbow Rocks) is fairly consistent and takes a WNW optimum swell, so this SSW swell isn’t perfect, but the long period and clean conditions make it worth a look. Just a heads up, it can get crowded sometimes.

Things get more interesting come Thursday the 3rd of September. The morning has clean conditions with cross-offshore NW wind at 9 mph, 2ft of SSW swell, and a very long 18-second period. The energy is 708 (moderate). It’s small but clean and glassy. Then that afternoon the swell shifts to a 5ft WNW swell, shorter period of 10 seconds, but still clean. The energy hits 1021. This is more of a kooky, punchy wave – not a long-period groundswell, but for Rainbow Rocks, it’s the best looking day in the first week.

The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is Saturday the 5th of September. The afternoon is glassy with a WSW wind at just 3 mph. The swell jumps to 8ft from the NW, but the period is short at 7 seconds. The energy is 966 (strong). This is a powerful, dumpy wave – more for experienced surfers. The glassy conditions will make it look like a mirror. It’s not a classic groundswell, but the size and the glass make it the best day of the entire outlook.

Then on Sunday the 6th of September, the afternoon gets even bigger: 10ft from the NW, still with a short 7-second period, but glassy again with WSW wind at 3 mph. The energy is 1154 (very strong). This is strictly for experts only – it’s big, punchy, and powerful. If you’re not confident, stay on the sand.

The last week sees a mix of small to medium swell with mostly cross or cross-offshore winds, but nothing that beats that Saturday-Sunday window. The 9th of September has a glassy morning with a 3ft SW swell and 17-second period, energy 871 (moderate). Clean, but small.

So, to sum it up: the first week is mostly a write-off, but if you’re keen, Saturday the 29th of August afternoon is the pick of the first week. The real highlight, the one to circle, is Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September afternoons – big, glassy, and powerful. Keep an eye on the swell direction and be ready for a crowd.

Rusty.

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