Surf spot

Rainbow bay

Forecast conditions and map view for Rainbow bay in Australia, QLD, Gold Coast. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Australia, QLD, Gold Coast
Coordinates: -28.1639, 153.5464

Metric
Metric	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00
Wave height (m)	1	1.1	0.9	1	1	1	1	0.9	0.8	1.1	1.1	1	1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.3	0.4	1.2	1.2	1.3	0.8	0.8	0.7	1.1	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6
Wave direction	SE	SE	SSE	SE	SSE	SE	SE	E	SE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	ENE	ENE	ENE	E	ESE	E	SSE	SSE	SE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE
Wave period (s)	6.5	6.3	7	7.6	7	6.7	6.8	5	5.7	5.5	5.5	5.7	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.8	5.5	5.6	5.5	5.5	5.4	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.4	5.5	5.7	5.8	5.5	5.4	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.4	5.8	5.2	8	6.8	7.8	7.3	6.9	8.6	8.4	8.8	6.1	8.4	8.6	8.6	8.4	8.3	8.3	7	6.5	6.6
Wave energy (kJ)	87	89	88	111	97	93	89	43	43	67	72	68	65	61	58	56	54	50	49	43	40	39	32	33	29	24	25	24	22	21	19	20	20	19	17	13	10	7	12	15	164	156	151	85	95	81	84	96	77	64	58	53	46	41	35	33
Wind speed (km/h)	5.5	7.3	6.9	10.9	8.7	11.7	4.8	5.4	6.1	6.1	4.9	8.4	13.4	10.6	2.9	4.9	5.7	5.9	4.3	7.2	11.3	8.7	4	4.9	4.9	4.1	4.6	11.4	15.4	12.3	9.6	10.4	10.1	4.5	7.5	15.5	21.6	20.2	18.8	17.5	13.9	12.2	12.9	17.4	20.2	18.4	15.4	12.8	11.1	9.2	9.3	11.6	9.5	10.3	6.9	6.1
Wind direction	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SECross-off	SECross-off	SECross-off	SSWGlassy	SWCross-off	SSWOffshore	SWCross-off	SWGlassy	SSECross-off	ESECross-off	ESECross-off	SGlassy	SWGlassy	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWGlassy	ECross	ENECross-on	NECross-on	NGlassy	NWGlassy	WNWGlassy	WNWGlassy	NWGlassy	NNEOnshore	NNECross-on	NOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	WNWGlassy	SSWOffshore	SOffshore	SOffshore	SOffshore	SOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SOffshore	SOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSEOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore

Rainbow Bay is one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic surf spots, located at the southern end of Coolangatta, Queensland near the NSW border. It’s a small, scenic bay with a relaxed beach-town vibe and a reputation for producing consistent, high-quality waves, especially when the sandbanks line up.

Surf characteristics

Wave type: Mostly a beachbreak with some area influences from nearby points and headlands.
Best conditions: Works well on southeast to east swells and is often best with light offshore winds from the west/northwest.
Wave quality: Can offer clean, fun walls and fast, peeling sections when the bank is working.
Crowds: Very popular, especially when the surf is good, so it can be busy.
Skill level: Suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers, though beginners may find smaller days manageable closer to shore.

Vibe and setting

Rainbow Bay has a more laid-back, classic Gold Coast feel than some of the busier northern beaches. The water is usually clear, and the headland and nearby Snapper Rocks area make it a visually stunning place to surf, watch waves, or relax on the sand.

Nearby surf areas

Snapper Rocks to the north, known for world-class point-style waves
Greenmount
Kirra, one of the most famous breaks on the Gold Coast

Quick summary

If you’re after a beautiful, reliable Gold Coast surf spot with a mix of fun beachbreak waves and a strong local surf culture, Rainbow Bay is a top choice.