Rainbow Beach tides today
- Tide now 2.7 ft ↓ falling · low 4:32 pm (-1.9 ft)
- Best time to fish 9:10–10:10 pm average day · 6/10
- Beach day 12:00–5:00 pm Perfect beach day · 9/10
- Waves · water 2.6 ft · 75 °F slight · 5.4 s from the southeast
- Wind · air 11 mph · 79 °F from the SE, gusts 27 · clear sky
- Surf today 1.3–2.1 ft Poor day · 1/10 · 10:00 am–2:00 pm
- Sun 5:01 am–6:02 pm 13 h 1 min of daylight
- Moon 88% · 9:37 pm waning gibbous · rises at 9:37 pm
Today in Rainbow Beach there are high tides at 9:56 am (3.3 ft) and 10:04 pm (1.0 ft) and low tides at 3:05 am and 4:32 pm. Tide coefficient 83. Right now the tide is falling toward the low tide at 4:32 pm. The sun rises at 5:01 am and sets at 6:02 pm: 13 h 1 min of daylight. The moon is 88% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 9:37 pm. Major solunar periods run from 12:46 am to 2:46 am and from 1:18 pm to 3:18 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 27 to 29. The sea is slight, with 2.6 ft waves. There's a gentle breeze from the southeast (11 mph). Clear sky, 79 °F.
Fishing in Rainbow Beach today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- Low tide at 3:05 am
- Major period 12:46–2:46 am
- Steady pressure (30.09 inHg), light offshore wind (4 mph) and some swell (2.4 ft waves) to stir the water
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 83 (average tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 2:00 am to 2:50 am, combines the 3:05 am low tide, a major period and some swell. Also worth a try from 9:10 pm to 10:10 pm, with the 10:04 pm high tide, moonrise, a light onshore breeze and some swell, though with rising pressure.
Species with the most records nearby: striped mullet, barramundi, orange-spotted grouper and bull shark. What you can catch
Beach day in Rainbow Beach
Is it a beach day?
12 good hours- Sunny
- Feels like 81 °F: beach weather
- Cross-shore breeze (11 mph)
- Calm for swimming: 2.7 ft waves
- Water at 75 °F (nice)
- Low tide at 4:32 pm: more sand
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 2.7 ft
2.7 ft waves: calm for swimming. Low rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 75 °F
Nice for swimming.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 12 · SPF 50
Max UV 12 (extreme): SPF 50 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours. Seek shade 10:00 am–2:00 pm (very high UV).
- Wind 11 mph
Cross-shore breeze (11 mph).
- Tide & sand 4:32 pm
Low tide at 3:05 am and 4:32 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 9:56 am and 10:04 pm.
The best window, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, brings sunshine, beach weather, little wind, a calm sea, water at 75 °F and low tide at 4:32 pm, though with very high UV. 8:00 am to 11:00 am can also work, with sunshine, pleasant temperatures, little wind, a calm sea and water at 75 °F, though with very high UV.
We don't have data on jellyfish, sargassum or beach closures: ask the lifeguard or check with the local beach authority. How it works · The next 7 days
Beaches near Rainbow Beach
We don't know of any named beaches within 6.2 mi of Rainbow Beach.
Missing one? Beaches come from OpenStreetMap: you can add it there. Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Rainbow Beach
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Rainbow Beach
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Low tide 3:05 am -2.7 ft
- ▲ High tide 9:56 am 3.3 ft · coef. 83
- ▼ Next low tide 4:32 pm -1.9 ft
- ▲ High tide 10:04 pm 1.0 ft · coef. 78
↓ Falling The tide is falling. 5 h 8 min to low tide at 4:32 pm.
Tide coefficient 83 for the 9:56 am high tide and 78 for the 10:04 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 6.0 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: a large range for this place. 70 is an average tide here; 90 and above means spring tides; below 45, neap tides. What is the tide coefficient?
2026 extremes: the highest tide of the year is on December 25 (4.1 ft) and the lowest, on December 25 (-3.1 ft).
Mixed: two high and two low tides a day, but of quite different heights.
Heights above mean sea level. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. mean sea level
Tide coefficient and range in October
The biggest tides of the month came from October 26 to 27 (coefficient 96, 6.2 ft range). The smallest, from October 17 to 19 (coefficient 34, 2.9 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Tide 3 | Tide 4 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Thu 29 | 5:01 am · 6:02 pm | Low tide 3:05 am · -2.7 ft | High tide 9:56 am · 3.3 ft | Low tide 4:32 pm · -1.9 ft | High tide 10:04 pm · 1.0 ft | Coef. 83 | 88% | Major periods 12:46 am · 1:18 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 5:00 am · 6:03 pm | Low tide 3:52 am · -2.4 ft | High tide 10:53 am · 3.1 ft | Low tide 5:40 pm · -1.7 ft | High tide 11:07 pm · 0.6 ft | Coef. 73 | 80% | Major periods 1:50 am · 2:22 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 5:00 am · 6:03 pm | Low tide 4:48 am · -2.1 ft | High tide 11:58 am · 2.9 ft | Low tide 6:59 pm · -1.5 ft | — | Coef. 62 | 70% | Major periods 2:54 am · 3:25 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 4:59 am · 6:04 pm | High tide 12:23 am · 0.4 ft | Low tide 5:57 am · -1.7 ft | High tide 1:08 pm · 2.6 ft | Low tide 8:17 pm · -1.6 ft | Coef. 59 | 59% | Major periods 3:55 am · 4:24 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 4:58 am · 6:05 pm | High tide 1:50 am · 0.4 ft | Low tide 7:22 am · -1.5 ft | High tide 2:19 pm · 2.5 ft | Low tide 9:22 pm · -1.8 ft | Coef. 56 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:51 am · 5:17 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 4:58 am · 6:05 pm | High tide 3:11 am · 0.7 ft | Low tide 8:48 am · -1.4 ft | High tide 3:24 pm · 2.4 ft | Low tide 10:14 pm · -2.0 ft | Coef. 62 | 37% | Major periods 5:42 am · 6:06 pm | Medium |
| Wed 4 | 4:57 am · 6:06 pm | High tide 4:16 am · 1.2 ft | Low tide 10:02 am · -1.5 ft | High tide 4:19 pm · 2.3 ft | Low tide 10:55 pm · -2.2 ft | Coef. 68 | 27% | Major periods 6:30 am · 6:52 pm | Low |
▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above mean sea level. Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.
Where this tide comes from
Rainbow Beach has no tide station nearby: its tide is calculated with the global FES2022 model, from the nearest model cells offshore (the first one 0.6 mi away). It may differ from the real tide by a few minutes and inches, and more with wind or storms. Heights are above mean sea level, not chart datum, so low tides are negative. Not for navigation.
Model attribution: FES2022 Tide was produced by LEGOS, NOVELTIS and CLS, funded by CNES, and distributed by AVISO (https://doi.org/10.24400/527896/a01-2024.004), AVISO licence (https://www.aviso.altimetry.fr/fileadmin/documents/data/License_Aviso.pdf). Modified by TidePlanet: constants interpolated from the nearest model cells offshore; heights above mean sea level.
The sea at Rainbow Beach
Sea stateSea state: slight
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common1.3 ft
- Significant2.6 ft
- Highest expectedHighest5.3 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 5.3 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 5.3 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-shore wind. The coast faces northeast and the wind blows along the shore: drift and current run parallel to the beach.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves stay much the same all week. The biggest waves arrive on Friday 30: 3.2 ft with a period of 7 s, from the east-southeast (slight).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water is steady these days, with no sudden changes.
Water warmer than normal for late October (+1.2 °F).
Satellite: NASA MUR (JPL MUR MEaSUREs, PO.DAAC), doi:10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04. Sources and licenses
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 11:24 am (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, via the E.U. Copernicus Marine Service. Generated using E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information (doi:10.48670/moi-00036).
Surf in Rainbow Beach today
Surf today
Poor- 1.0–1.6 ft surf at the shore, small: good for learning or a longboard
- 1.4 ft swell at 7 s from the southeast, short: weak, messy waves
- Almost no wind (4 mph): glassy water
- Rising tide (high tide at 9:56 am)
- Light: First light 4:37 am · sunrise 5:01 am · sunset 6:02 pm · last light 6:26 pm
- Tide: low 3:05 am (-2.7 ft), high 9:56 am (3.3 ft), low 4:32 pm (-1.9 ft) and high 10:04 pm (1.0 ft). Every break has its own tide: some work at low tide and others at high tide. The tide doesn’t change the score here.
- Water at 74.7 °F: a rash guard or a neoprene top.
- Energy: 17 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 5:00 am to 9:00 am, has glassy water, though with small waves and a short-period swell. 10:00 am to 2:00 pm can also work, though with a short-period swell.
An estimate for this stretch of coast, not for a specific break: every beach or reef works its own way (its tide, bottom and angle). Check it when you get there.
Follow the flags and the lifeguards, and don’t paddle out if the surf is above your level: this score is a guide, not a substitute for what you see when you get there.
Diving in Rainbow Beach today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: fair- Slack water around high tide (9:56 am): little current from 9:30 am to 10:20 am
- 1.4 ft swell at 7 s from the east: barely any surge
- Light cross-shore wind (11 mph)
- 0.2 mph current toward the north, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: low tide 3:05 am (2:40–3:30 am), high tide 9:56 am (9:30–10:20 am), low tide 4:32 pm (4:00–5:00 pm) and high tide 10:04 pm (9:30–10:40 pm)
- Likely visibility: fair. Rain (1.22 in) over the last few days has stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 74.7 °F: a 3 mm wetsuit.
- Snorkeling: doable, with some waves or wind.
- Night dive: dark from 6:26 pm. Waning gibbous (88%), rising at 9:37 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 9:00 am to 10:40 am, combines slack water at high tide, little swell, light wind, weak current and the sun high. Also good from 4:00 pm to 5:10 pm, with slack water at low tide, light wind and weak current.
Slack water comes from the tide: in inlets, channels and between islands the water can keep running for an hour or two after. Ask the local dive shop.
Never dive alone and check with the local dive shop: this rating is a guide, not a substitute for a professional.
Dive sites, wrecks and dive shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Wolf Rock Fish seen: Sixplate Sawtail, Parma oligolepis, Sufflamen chrysopterum, Lemon Butterflyfish 5.5 mi
- Wolf Rock Dive Centre 2.1 mi
Within 12 mi. Some may be missing or closed; marine reserves usually need a permit. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Sites and fish: Reef Life Survey / IMOS NRMN, CC BY 4.0; fish names, Wikidata.
Weather in Rainbow Beach
Now in Rainbow Beach
- Low / high
- 58 / 79 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 11%
- Clouds
- 1%
- Humidity
- 42%
- Dew pointDew point
- 54 °F
- Visibility
- 15 mi
- UV indexUV
- 12 · extreme
- Air qualityAir
- Fair · 31
- Saharan dust
- No
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady · now Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Steady now (+0.00 inHg in 3 hours). It barely changes over the next 48 hours. Steady pressure: anglers expect normal activity. Fast changes, either way, tend to affect fishing.
Today, hour by hourHour by hour
Bars: mean wind. Dashed line: gusts. Arrows point where the wind blows to.
| Time | 12:00 am | 3:00 am | 6:00 am | 9:00 am | 12:00 pm | 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky | Clear | Clear | Clear sky | Clear sky | Clear sky | Clear sky | Mainly clear | Overcast |
| Temperature | 62° | 58° | 65° | 76° | 79° | 76° | 69° | 66° |
| Wind (mph) | 3 WSW | 5 SW | 4 SSW | 8 SSE | 11 SE | 9 ESE | 6 ESE | 5 ESE |
| Gusts | 6 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 27 | 23 | 12 | 9 |
| Waves | 2.6 ft | 2.4 ft | 2.2 ft | 2.4 ft | 2.6 ft | 2.6 ft | 2.7 ft | 2.8 ft |
| Rain | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
- 12:00 pm 79° 11 SE 2.6 ft
- 3:00 pm 76° 9 ESE 2.6 ft
- 6:00 pm 69° 6 ESE 2.7 ft
- 9:00 pm 66° 5 ESE 2.8 ft
- 12:00 am 66° 4 ESE 2.8 ft
- 3:00 am 63° 3 SE 2.8 ft
- 6:00 am 69° 5 ESE 2.8 ft
- 9:00 am 76° 7 ESE 3.0 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 29 | 58 / 79 °F | 11 mph SE | 2.8 ft | 9:56 am · 10:04 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 63 / 78 °F | 9 mph ESE | 3.2 ft | 10:53 am · 11:07 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 64 / 79 °F | 7 mph ENE | 3.2 ft | 11:58 am | |
| Sun 1 | 61 / 82 °F | 8 mph N | 2.9 ft | 12:23 am · 1:08 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 64 / 88 °F | 6 mph WNW | 2.7 ft | 1:50 am · 2:19 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 65 / 86 °F | 9 mph N | 2.5 ft | 3:11 am · 3:24 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 68 / 87 °F | 11 mph NNW | 2.8 ft | 4:16 am · 4:19 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 69 / 85 °F | 13 mph NW | 3.1 ft | 5:08 am · 5:07 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 65 / 86 °F | 5 mph WNW | 2.4 ft | 5:52 am · 5:50 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 64 / 82 °F | 8 mph ENE | 3.3 ft | 6:32 am · 6:29 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 65 / 84 °F | 4 mph ESE | 3.2 ft | 7:09 am · 7:07 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 66 / 80 °F | 10 mph SE | 4.7 ft | 7:44 am · 7:42 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 64 / 79 °F | 11 mph SE | 5.6 ft | 8:19 am · 8:17 pm | |
| Wed 11 | 60 / 80 °F | 8 mph E | 5.5 ft | 8:54 am · 8:51 pm |
- Fri 30 Overcast 63° / 78° 3.2 ft
- Sat 31 Overcast 64° / 79° 3.2 ft
- Sun 1 Overcast 61° / 82° 2.9 ft
- Mon 2 Light drizzle 64° / 88° 2.7 ft
- Tue 3 Showers 65° / 86° 2.5 ft
- Wed 4 Light drizzle 68° / 87° 2.8 ft
- Thu 5 Thunderstorm 69° / 85° 3.1 ft
Each day comes from the best model covering this spot: regional ones first (HRRR and NBM in the U.S., AROME, ICON-EU), then ECMWF; day 16, NOAA GFS. Waves: Météo-France up to day 10, then ECMWF WAM, coarser and further offshore. High tides: our own tide calculation.
- Normal Today, normal highs for late October (79 °F). Climate by month →
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 11:24 am (local time).
The sun in Rainbow Beach
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 4:09 am
- Full dark 6:54 pm
- Civil dawn 4:37 am
- Civil dusk 6:26 pm
- Solar noon 11:31 am (78° high)
- Daylight 13 h 1 min (+1 min)
- Evening golden hour 5:31 pm
- Full dark 6:54 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,345,853 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Rainbow Beach
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,469 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 12:46–2:46 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 1:18–3:18 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 6:31–7:31 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 9:07–10:07 pm Minor · moonrise · medium activity
According to solunar theory, fish feed more when the moon passes overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 h) and when it rises or sets (minor periods, 1 h). It works best around new and full moon.
Upcoming moon phases
2026 moon calendar →- Last quarter Mon, Nov 2 · 6:29 amNov 2 in 4 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 5:03 pmNov 9 in 11 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 9:48 pmNov 17 in 19 days
- Full moon Wed, Nov 25 · 12:54 amNov 25 in 27 days
Perigee on October 29, 226,426 mi away, coinciding with the spring tides from October 27 to 29: they will be stronger than usual.
Where to fish in Rainbow Beach
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Sunset Harbour Boatramp 2.2 mi
- Bullock Point boat ramp 5.8 mi
- Rainbow Beach Fishing and Camping 0.1 mi
- Gardiner Fisheries 0.6 mi
- Lee Fishing Company 5.0 mi
- The Chandlery Bait & Tackle 5.2 mi
- Tin Can Fishing & Boating 5.5 mi
- EcoFish.com.au 7.6 mi
Within 9.3 mi. A spot may be missing or closed. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps.
Water depth
Gentle slopeThe bottom slopes gently: 16 ft deep 420 ft from shore and 33 ft at 0.35 mi. Right off the beach it already drops to about 15 ft.
From the shoreline (1,200 ft from Rainbow Beach) out to sea, heading northeast.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep420 ft
- 33 ft deep0.35 mi
- 66 ft deep2.3 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Deep water close in: about 15 ft just 330 ft out. Good for casting from rocks, jetties or the beach itself; current and surf hit harder here.
- Swimming. The bottom drops quickly near the shore and you are soon out of your depth. Keep an eye on kids and weak swimmers.
- Diving. 33 ft deep 0.35 mi from shore; 66 ft is far out (2.3 mi): for deeper dives, go by boat.
Rough estimate: here the data comes in cells of about 0.3 mi and misses details near shore (rocks, sandbars, small coves).
Source: NOAA ETOPO 2022 (CC0), cells of about 0.3 mi; depth below mean sea level. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Tides near Rainbow BeachTides nearby
- Tin Can Bay5.6 mi
- Cooloola Cove8.3 mi
- Tinnanbar13 mi
- Boonooroo20 mi
- Eurong27 mi
- Noosa Heads34 mi
- Noosaville34 mi
- Sunshine Beach35 mi
- Maryborough35 mi
- Sunrise Beach35 mi
Rainbow Beach at a glance
- Town or city of about 1,556 people. Coordinates: 25.904° S, 153.092° E.
- It is 108 mi north of Brisbane, the main place in Queensland. The sun rises 2 min later and sets 2 min earlier than in Brisbane.
- Its coast faces northeast.
Questions about Rainbow BeachQuestions
What time is high tide today in Rainbow Beach?
Today in Rainbow Beach there are high tides at 9:56 am (3.3 ft) and 10:04 pm (1.0 ft) and low tides at 3:05 am and 4:32 pm. Tide coefficient 83.
What time is sunset today in Rainbow Beach?
At 6:02 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:26 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Rainbow Beach?
At 5:00 am. First light comes at 4:08 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 88% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 5:03 pm.
When are the next spring tides?
From October 27 to 29, together with the lunar perigee: they will be stronger than usual.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 12:46–2:46 am, Minor 6:31–7:31 am, Major 1:18–3:18 pm, Minor 9:07–10:07 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Rainbow Beach?
Overcast, from 58 °F to 79 °F, with a gentle breeze from the southeast (11 mph) and a 11% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Rainbow Beach?
Slight (Douglas 3): 2.6 ft waves with a period of 5.4 s from the southeast. The water is 75.0 °F.
When is the best time to visit Rainbow Beach?
The best time to visit Rainbow Beach is from August to November: highs of 72 °F to 80 °F, about 6 rainy days a month and 8 hours of sunshine a day.
Can I use this data for navigation?
No. These are predictions for fishing and leisure; for navigation, use the official publications.
Where this data comes from
Tide: global FES2022 model (AVISO/CNES), licensed AVISO; constants for this place computed by TidePlanet from the nearest model cells offshore. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).