
Surf Forecasts:
Rest Bay surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 4s period, NW swell with 11 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 0.6m 4s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore 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 (Jul 19) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rest Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I’m looking at Rest Bay for the next couple weeks, and it’s a tough one to sugarcoat. The whole 16-day forecast is flat and poor. Nothing here is worth a paddle.
The water is unusually warm, reading 68° right now, which is way above normal for the season. The swell is tiny, and when it does pick up a little, the wind messes it up.
The first time we even see a pulse is around the morning of Monday, July 27th. A west swell shows up at about 4ft, with a period of 7 seconds, and the energy hits 157. That’s moderate energy, but it’s blowing cross-onshore, so expect chop and bump. The afternoon gets even worse with a 35 km/h onshore wind.
By Tuesday, July 28th morning, the swell drops to around 3ft, with a cross-shore wind from the northwest. It’s still poor, but if you’re really jonesing, you might find a lumpy, grovelly wave. The energy is down to 118.
The only morning that looks clean is Sunday, July 26th, with a light cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is only 2ft and weak (33 energy). Not enough to push through.
Bottom line: there’s no standout session. No good options. For Rest Bay, this kind of flat spell is pretty normal. Things can change, but right now, I’d save the gas.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the NNW by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 4 | W 7 | W 7 | W 10 | W 12 | W 11 | NW 4 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 3 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:58AM8.63m | 10:18PM8.84m | 10:41AM8.22m | 11:02PM8.32m | 11:25AM7.72m | 11:46PM7.70m | 12:10PM7.18m | 00:34AM7.08m | 1:01PM6.69m | 1:29AM6.54m | 2:03PM6.32m | 2:38AM6.21m | 3:16PM6.19m | 3:54AM6.17m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:02PM0.64m | 4:31AM0.73m | 4:45PM1.02m | 5:13AM1.20m | 5:28PM1.51m | 5:57AM1.73m | 6:15PM2.03m | 6:44AM2.25m | 7:08PM2.51m | 7:40AM2.68m | 8:13PM2.85m | 8:48AM2.93m | 9:27PM2.95m | ||||||||
5:18 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 4 | W 7 | W 7 | NW 3 | W 9 | W 8 | NW 4 | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 3 | W 10 | W 9 | NW 4 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 3 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 8 | NW 4 | — | W 10 | — | W 11 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 10 | — | — | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — |
— | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | — | W 7 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 |
— | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 421 | 421 | 90 | 421 | 194 | 337 | 337 | 415 | 370 | 140 | 194 | 203 | 203 | 203 | 203 | 90 | 426 | 337 | 356 | 356 | 447 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wales - South East | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










