When does Rainbow Beach need sun protection?

Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Rainbow Beach that is most of the year, including many winter middays. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.

Does Rainbow Beach need sun protection in winter?

Usually yes. At 25.9°S, winter middays in Rainbow Beach still commonly reach UV 3 or higher, the SunSmart threshold for Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide. Check today's live reading on this page before a long lunch outside.

Does the water make UV worse in Rainbow Beach?

It can. Sand and water reflect ultraviolet, so skin that is not covered — including under the chin and on the tops of feet — picks up extra dose on top of the direct sun. The live UV index on this page is the sky reading; reflection is on top of that.

UV index in Rainbow Beach today

Coastal Rainbow Beach in Queensland is a high-exposure pocket. At 25.9°S the summer UV index commonly hits 11–13 (extreme), and glare off the water means you cop it from above and below. This is subtropical sun: protection weather for most of the year, with winter middays that still often reach 3 or more.

Live reading · data by Open-Meteo · reference monitoring by ARPANSA

Today and tomorrow in Rainbow Beach

Peak UV, temperature and conditions for Rainbow Beach. Tomorrow’s peak is the number to plan around if you’re heading out in the middle of the day.

Weather conditions right now

Cloud and rain cut heat more than they cut UV. A partly cloudy beach day in Rainbow Beach can still sit at protection levels. Why you burn on cloudy days.

When Rainbow Beach needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in Rainbow Beach most of the year, including many winter middays. On the water or the sand, reflection can lift your dose even when the forecast UV already looks high.

The threshold, per SunSmart and ARPANSA: whenever UV reaches 3 or above, Slip on covering clothing, Slop on SPF 50+ sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses. Read the full sun safety guide.

The UV scale at a glance

0–2Low
3–5Moderate
6–7High
8–10Very high
11+Extreme

Local support in Queensland

Cancer Council Queensland: Prevention and support in the state with Australia's highest skin-cancer rates.

Frequently asked questions

When does Rainbow Beach need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Rainbow Beach that is most of the year, including many winter middays. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does Rainbow Beach need sun protection in winter?: Usually yes. At 25.9°S, winter middays in Rainbow Beach still commonly reach UV 3 or higher, the SunSmart threshold for Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide. Check today's live reading on this page before a long lunch outside.
Does the water make UV worse in Rainbow Beach?: It can. Sand and water reflect ultraviolet, so skin that is not covered — including under the chin and on the tops of feet — picks up extra dose on top of the direct sun. The live UV index on this page is the sky reading; reflection is on top of that.