
Surf Forecasts:
Rest Bay surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, WSW swell with 163 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rest Bay in the next 16 days are 0.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rest Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, listen up. I've been pouring over the charts for Rest Bay and I've got to be straight with you: it's looking like a whole lot of nothing for most of this forecast. You want waves? You're gonna need some patience. And good news on the water temp front – it's a balmy 69° right now, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so at least you won't be shivering while you're waiting for a set that ain't coming.
For the first week or so, it's dire. We're talking knee-biters, 0.5ft, maybe 1ft if you're lucky, and the wind is all over the shop, cross-shore and onshore, chopping up what little energy there is. The swell window is basically closed, with weak energy readings (single digits). You'd be better off polishing your board.
There's a bit of a tease on Thursday the 13th. The swell bumps up to a waist-high 3ft from the WSW, and the energy jumps up to 130, then 216 in the arvo – that's some proper juice. But the wind just has to ruin it. The morning has a light cross-shore that might keep it clean-ish, but the afternoon brings a solid onshore breeze at 25 km/h, chopping it all up. It'll be the first time it looks like it's got any push, but it'll be a battle.
Then it's right back to the flat spell. Through the weekend and into the start of the next week, it's back down to tiny, weak dribble. A real test of your commitment.
If you want the standout, you're looking at the very end of the run. Saturday the 22nd brings some real size – 4ft to 4ft from the WSW, with strong energy (182 and 172). But the wind is howling onshore from the west at 40-45 km/h. That's a full-on mess. For a beach and point set-up like Rest Bay, that's a blown-out, chaotic mess. Trust me, the kitesurfers will be having more fun than us. It's going to be lumpy, messy, and hard work.
Now, your only real glimmer of hope for the whole 16-day stretch is the next morning, Sunday the 23rd. The swell is still a solid 3ft to 4ft from the W, with strong energy (171 to 202), but the wind backs off and swings to the northwest at 25-30 km/h. It's still cross-shore, so not glassy, but it's a massive improvement from the day before. It'll be lumpy and bumpy, but there'll be some proper power to it. That's your window. It's a long way out, so treat it as promising but a bit of a gamble. And expect it to be crowded – when it's the only show in town, everyone shows up.
So here's the deal: the start is a complete bust, there's a frustrating tease in the middle, and the only real chance for something with size and shape is that wind shift on the 23rd. That's the one to mark on your calendar. Don't hold your breath for anything else.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | SW 9 | WSW 7 | W 9 | WSW 3 | W 3 | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | W 9 | WSW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 40 | 52 | 64 | 130 | 116 | 74 | 64 | 56 | 22 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:44PM6.79m | 3:28AM6.84m | 4:08PM7.06m | 4:47AM7.24m | 5:18PM7.66m | 5:50AM7.83m | 6:15PM8.35m | 6:42AM8.41m | 7:05PM8.95m | 7:29AM8.86m | 7:49PM9.35m | 8:11AM9.09m | 8:30PM9.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:54PM2.39m | 9:39AM2.34m | 10:24PM2.09m | 10:59AM1.92m | 11:36PM1.52m | 12:02PM1.34m | 00:33AM0.90m | 12:53PM0.78m | 1:21AM0.39m | 1:37PM0.36m | 2:03AM0.09m | 2:17PM0.15m | 2:42AM0.02m | ||||||||
5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
— | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 23 | 28 | 31 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 9 | WSW 7 | SW 7 | W 8 | SW 6 | W 4 | WSW 6 | W 5 | SW 7 | W 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 11 | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | W 9 | WSW 8 |
— | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 40 | 52 | 64 | 130 | 100 | 74 | 64 | 56 | 22 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | W 9 | W 6 | W 8 | SW 7 | W 8 | SW 6 | W 8 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | W 8 | W 10 | — | W 9 | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | W 3 | — | W 5 | — | ESE 2 | SE 2 | SE 2 | SE 3 | SE 3 | — | — | WSW 10 | WSW 4 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 7 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 116 | 4 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 330 | 194 | 194 | 445 | 355 | 211 | 193 | 356 | 194 | 391 | 330 | 41 | 48 | 42 | 0 | 2 | 211 | 21 | 22 | 311 | 34 |
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.











