Surf Forecasts:
Rest Bay surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, WSW swell with 437 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rest Bay this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Rest Bay in the next 16 days are 1.3m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rest Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next 16 days at Rest Bay.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. We’re looking at a pretty grim run for the first two weeks with no real surf on offer until we hit the final day. For the vast majority of this outlook, from September 1st right through to September 14th, the conditions are just plain poor. There’s a long 13-day gap where you’re better off leaving the board in the car.
The only flicker of light comes right at the end. On Tuesday the 15th of September, we finally get a little something. The morning session is where it’s at. We’re looking at a tiny 2ft swell rolling in from the WSW, but the key here is that wind. It’s glassy. Absolutely dead calm, and that’s a major positive for a spot that usually sees some chop. The combined energy is feeble, just 73, so it’s tiny, but it’s clean. The swell period is a long 11 seconds, which is proper groundswell energy, but at this size it’s just going to offer up small, clean little peelers. A 2ft wave with glassy conditions is a dream for a longboard or a funboard, and you’ll have it all to yourself. For anyone looking for a proper wave, this is the only real standout in the whole outlook, but it’s only for the patient and the light-wind enthusiasts. The water temp is sitting at 68°, which is pretty balmy and is over 5° warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s a nice bonus if you’re getting wet.
Then on Wednesday the 16th of September, it’s back to slop. The morning has a 2ft swell but with cross-onshore wind and a short 5-second period, so it’ll be a messy, gutless closeout. Not worth the paddle.
Honestly, for most of this forecast, the onshore winds are strong and the swell is messy. For the bigger days around the 7th and 8th of September, with 5ft swell and strong onshores, the setup at Rest Bay looks much more interesting for the kite surfers than for us paddle surfers.
So, to sum it up: wait for the 15th if you want a tiny, clean, glassy session. That’s your only real shot. Keep an eye on the forecast, because it can’t stay this poor forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Tue night, strong winds from the WSW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 28 | 31 | 22 | 23 | 155 | 177 | 223 | 231 | 165 | 268 | 173 | 126 | 82 | 65 | 46 | 27 | 7 | 27 | 437 | 319 | 269 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:57PM8.76m | 10:17AM8.41m | 10:38PM8.28m | 11:00AM7.92m | 11:25PM7.66m | 11:52AM7.32m | 00:25AM7.00m | 1:01PM6.77m | 1:47AM6.53m | 2:33PM6.57m | 3:24AM6.57m | 4:04PM6.95m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 3:33PM0.53m | 3:54AM0.69m | 4:10PM0.88m | 4:33AM1.15m | 4:54PM1.40m | 5:20AM1.75m | 5:49PM2.00m | 6:24AM2.36m | 7:09PM2.53m | 7:57AM2.74m | 8:57PM2.62m | 9:43AM2.57m | 10:31PM2.15m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | | |  | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | — | WSW 8 | WSW 5 | — | W 8 | W 15 | — | W 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | — |
| kJ | 26 | — | 12 | 23 | — | 138 | 4 | — | 5 | 8 | 8 | 126 | 82 | 65 | 46 | 27 | 7 | 27 | 437 | 319 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 14 | — | — | WSW 9 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 8 | 4 | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | — | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SE 3 | — | — | — | WSW 10 |
| kJ | 28 | 31 | 22 | — | 155 | 177 | 223 | 231 | 165 | 268 | 173 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 269 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 138 | 188 | 126 | 311 | 447 | 152 | 138 | 410 | 245 | 21 | 70 | 3 | 21 | 40 | 2 | 54 | 168 | 100 | 70 | 71 | 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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