Rest Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. I’m looking at the 16-day window for Rest Bay. Straight up, I’ve got to be honest with you – this isn't looking like a vintage stretch for South Wales. The first week is pretty grim. There are no standout sessions, and the overall pattern is one of messy, wind-affected conditions or just tiny surf. If you were hoping for a run of perfect waves, you’ll be disappointed for the first ten days or so. There is a gap of about ten days with no real recommendations until we get a brief window of calm.

We start on Thursday the 27th of August with absolute dregs – a tiny 0.7 ft swell from the WSW with a short 7-second period. The morning has a light easterly breeze that keeps things clean, but there is just no energy. The combined swell energy is a pathetic 5 – that’s a flat calm, not a surf session. The water is currently much warmer than normal for the time of year, about 4° warmer, so it feels like a warm bath but with nothing to ride.

Friday the 28th sees the swell bump up, but the wind is a disaster. A strong onshore SW wind at 18-25 mph rips the surface to shreds. By the afternoon, the swell hits 6 ft but the energy jumps to 268 (moderate), but it’s a short 7-second period and the cross-onshore is messy. This is a write-off for paddling; actually, with that wind and size, a beach-and-reef setup like Rest Bay looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The weekend of the 29th and 30th continues the theme of poor quality. Saturday the 29th has a near-gale from the WSW at 34 mph with 8 ft swell – that’s only for experts anyway, and even then it’s a washing machine. The combined energy is very high at 836 but the wind state is unknown which usually means it’s wild. Sunday the 30th is cross-onshore and choppy with 4 ft and rain.

Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September are the same story: moderate to fresh breezes, cross-onshore, and a lumpy, choppy sea state. Swell sizes between 3 ft and 6 ft but never clean. The combined energy values like 506 (moderate) on Monday morning show there is power, but the wind ruins it.

Wednesday the 2nd of September is a brief tease. The morning is glassy with a tiny 2 ft swell from the WSW and a 6-second period. Energy is just 31 – that’s weak. It’s a small, clean window for a micro-log but not a proper surf.

Thursday the 3rd of September sees a return of moderate cross-onshore wind with a 6 ft to 6 ft swell, period up to 9 seconds. The afternoon has a fresh onshore breeze again. The energy is high (541) but the conditions are blown out.

Friday the 4th of September: Finally, a morning of clean conditions. The wind is ESE at 12 mph, which is cross-offshore, and the swell is 6 ft from the WSW with a 7-second period. The energy is a solid 255 (moderate). This is the best on offer in the entire stretch. It’s clean and rideable for intermediates, though the period is a bit short, so it’ll be a bit wobbly and quick. Still, if you want to get wet, this Friday morning is your window.

The rest of the first week and into the second is grim again. The 5th of September Saturday morning is glassy with a 3 ft swell – surfable but very ordinary conditions, according to the notes. Energy is 136 (weak-moderate). After that, from Sunday the 6th of September right through to Thursday the 11th of September, it’s a long run of poor conditions. Cross-onshore winds, lumpy seas, and mostly small surf in the 2 ft to 4 ft range with short periods. The combined energy stays below 200 most days. Friday the 11th of September morning is clean with a tiny 2 ft swell from the WSW, but it’s just a paddling session.

Honestly, if you're desperate, target the morning of Friday the 4th of September for the cleanest, most powerful waves. The rest of the period is a write-off.

Rusty

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