Surf Forecasts:
Rest Bay surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, WSW swell with 574 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rest Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Rest Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rest Bay in the next 16 days are 1.7m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rest Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what Rest Bay has got lined up for us over the next couple of weeks. I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a long, flat, and frustrating start. From now, we’re looking at a solid gap of about eight days with barely a ripple worth paddling for. The wind’s messy, the swell is tiny, and the energy readings are just sad – we’re talking a combined wave energy of just 10 on Wednesday morning, and it doesn’t really get going until much later.
The first real chance of catching anything that feels like a wave comes on Saturday, the 5th of September. It’s not going to blow your mind, but after over a week of nothing, you’ll take it. The morning looks best at Rest Bay with a tiny 2 ft of swell coming from the WSW, with a period of 9 seconds. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNE at 6 mph, which should keep the surface clean. It’s small and ordinary, but at least it’s surfable.
Now, the real standout is building for Monday, the 7th of September. This is the one to circle on your calendar. The morning session is the only real window, and it’s a beast. We’ve got a solid 10 ft of groundswell from the WSW, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined swell energy is a hefty 1614 – that’s some serious power. The wind is a gentle cross-onshore from the SSW, but frankly, for a wave this size, it’s the power that counts. This is a big, expert-only wave. If you’re not experienced, stay well clear or just go and watch. The swell direction is a perfect match for Rest Bay’s optimum from the SW. This is the best on offer by a long shot, but don’t get caught out – it might be a bit too much for the sandbanks.
After that, it settles back down. Wednesday the 9th of September morning sees a glassy 2 ft from the SW, with barely a breath of wind and a slight air. It’s ordinary, but clean. A nice little recovery session after the chaos, but nothing special.
Best call? Forget the first week. Set your alarm for the morning of Monday the 7th of September if you’re an expert and want some serious, powerful waves. Otherwise, the light winds on the morning of the 5th or the 9th are your best bet for a clean, small paddle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | SW 4 | SW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | SW 7 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 98 | 60 | 93 | 91 | 168 | 574 | 258 | 270 | 275 | 455 | 359 | 210 | 123 | 222 | 142 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:31PM7.70m | 6:49AM7.76m | 7:05PM8.26m | 7:22AM8.24m | 7:38PM8.71m | 7:55AM8.61m | 8:11PM9.00m | 8:29AM8.84m | 8:45PM9.12m | 9:03AM8.89m | 9:20PM9.04m | 9:38AM8.75m | 9:57PM8.76m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:22PM1.78m | 00:45AM1.45m | 12:57PM1.25m | 1:17AM0.97m | 1:28PM0.82m | 1:48AM0.59m | 1:59PM0.51m | 2:18AM0.36m | 2:29PM0.35m | 2:48AM0.29m | 3:00PM0.35m | 3:19AM0.40m | 3:33PM0.53m | 3:54AM0.69m | |||||||
 | |  |  |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 8 | — | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | 10 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Temp °C | 22 | 25 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 20 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | W 7 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | WSW 10 | — | W 9 | — | — | WSW 10 | — | — | W 8 |
| kJ | 8 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 258 | — | 220 | — | — | 210 | — | — | 142 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | S 7 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 2 | — | SW 4 | SW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | SW 7 | WSW 10 | — | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | — | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | — | 13 | 98 | 60 | 93 | 91 | 168 | 574 | — | 270 | 275 | 455 | 359 | — | 123 | 222 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 78 | 336 | 415 | 410 | 188 | 188 | 339 | 381 | 115 | 488 | 224 | 71 | 312 | 340 | 783 | 71 | 137 | 138 | 299 | 410 | 21 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wales - South East | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Rest Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Rest Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Rest Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rest Bay surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Rest Bay) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Rest Bay may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Rest Bay is 1 km (1 miles) from Porthcawl. If you plan a holiday in Wales - South East, look for hotels and other accommodation in Porthcawl. Porthcawl has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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