Rainbow Beach
Summary for 20 Oct 2026
Bite Compass is showing a medium fish activity bite score on 20 Oct 2026. Wind is around E at 14 km/h. Solunar feeding windows are listed below.
Rainbow Beach fishing times this week Rainbow Beach tide times
Feeding Windows
Local Knowledge
Rainbow Beach is the surf beach in front of the town of the same name, running south-east from the township under the coloured sand cliffs toward Double Island Point. It is a classic Queensland surf beach: gutters, holes and sand banks that move with every blow, and tailor, dart and whiting that move with them. Mulloway come up on the coffee rock and in the deeper holes at night. The sunrise is reliable; the gutters, less so.
Walk the beach at low tide to find the gutters and holes, then fish them on the run-in and the top of the tide. Pilchards on ganged hooks at dawn and dusk for tailor; pipis, worms or small strip baits for dart and whiting in the shallower gutters. Big fresh baits fished at night in the deeper holes give the best shot at mulloway. Metal slugs cast into the gutter mouths will find dart when they are schooling.
Tailor are 35 cm (possession 20) and swallowtail dart 30 cm (30). Sand whiting are 23 cm (combined 30) and yellowfin bream 25 cm (combined 30). Mulloway are 75 cm with a possession limit of 2. Beach worms are limited to 30 and pipis to 30.
Shark control equipment operates off Rainbow Beach — it is an offence to be within 20 m of shark nets, drumlines or their floats and anchors, so cast well clear of them. Report damaged or out-of-place equipment on 1800 806 891. The beach in front of town is a habitat protection zone of Great Sandy Marine Park, with the Rainbow Beach conservation park (yellow) zone further out and along the beach — fish to its limit of max 2 rods or handlines and 2 hooks in total per person.
Access & Conditions
The beach is right in front of the Rainbow Beach township, with parking, toilets and the surf club on the foreshore. Walk south along the sand to find quieter gutters. Driving the beach toward Double Island Point needs a 4WD, a QPWS vehicle access permit and a careful eye on the tides.
The beach faces north-east and takes the ocean swell, so it fishes best with a small, clean swell and light winds. South-easterly trade winds blow along the beach and can make it hard work; a light westerly cleans it up. Big seas reshape the gutters, so scout again after every blow.
Surf beaches have rips and shore dumps — don't wade past knee depth, and watch for big sets. Bluebottles wash in on onshore winds. 4WDs use the beach, so keep your gear and kids clear of the driving line, and don't fish under the coloured sand cliffs, which can collapse.
Gear & Rigs
A 3–4 m surf rod with a 4000–6000 reel and 15–20 lb line, a running sinker or paternoster rig with ganged 3/0–4/0 hooks for tailor and size 2–4 hooks for dart and whiting. Heavier gear and 40–50 lb leader for mulloway. Sand spikes, a bait board and a headlamp for the night shift.
Seasons
Tailor, mulloway and dart are best through the cooler months, from about May to September. Bream are best in winter. Whiting are best in the warmer months.
If This Spot's Blown Out
Frequently Asked
Yes, shark control equipment operates off Rainbow Beach. It is an offence to be within 20 m of it, so fish well clear.
Tailor, dart, whiting and bream in the surf gutters, and mulloway at night.
Yes. The beach in front of town is a habitat protection zone of Great Sandy Marine Park, and the conservation park (yellow) zone further out limits you to max 2 rods or handlines and 2 hooks in total per person.