Surf Forecasts:
Rest Bay surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, W swell with 447 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. 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 2.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rest Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’. The next couple of weeks are lookin’ pretty flat and quiet for us here at Rest Bay. We’ve got a big ol’ gap at the start, with hardly a wave worth paddlin’ for from now until the end of August. The first real chance of anythin’ comes on Friday the 28th, but honestly, it’s nothin’ to get excited about.
So, for Friday the 28th, we might see a tiny 2ft swell from the WSW, period around 9 seconds. The combined energy is weak (79), and while the morning looks clean with a light cross-off breeze, the waves are just too small and weak to be any fun. It’s a “surfable but very ordinary” kinda morning. The afternoon gets blown out by a strong onshore wind, so that’s a write-off.
Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th see the swell bump up a bit, but it’s all bad news. We’re talkin’ 5ft to 6ft of messy, short-period windswell, but it’s comin’ with fresh to strong onshore and cross-onshore winds. The water’s gonna be lumpy and choppy. The combined energy gets up there (284-365), but it’s just a messy, blown-out mess. Not for paddlin’, maybe more interestin’ for the kite crew.
Monday the 31st, things calm right down. The swell drops to 3ft in the morning, and we get a proper glassy session with light offshore breezes. Combined energy is moderate (114). It’s still “surfable but very ordinary,” but those glassy conditions might be worth a look for a longboard if you’re desperate for a paddle.
After that, we’re back to poor conditions right through the start of September. The first flicker of somethin’ decent doesn’t show up until Thursday the 3rd of September. The morning looks promising with a 5ft WSW swell, period of 6 seconds. The combined energy is strong (288), and with a clean cross-off breeze, conditions should be decent. That’s the standout window. It’s a bit on the bigger side for beginners, but for the intermediates, Thursday morning is the one to aim for. The afternoon gets messy again, so make the most of the morning.
Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are a write-off with onshore winds and choppy surf. Sunday the 6th sees a similar story with fresh cross-onshore winds and lumpy 5ft surf. Monday the 7th drops right back off with a clean but tiny 2ft swell. A blank run like this is pretty normal for the area, but forecasts can change. Keep an eye on that Thursday the 3rd.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the E by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 8 | SW 5 | SW 9 | SW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 79 | 150 | 442 | 284 | 365 | 427 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:00PM5.98m | 4:38AM6.08m | 5:06PM6.47m | 5:32AM6.62m | 5:53PM7.08m | 6:13AM7.20m | 6:31PM7.70m | 6:49AM7.76m | 7:05PM8.26m | 7:22AM8.24m | 7:38PM8.71m | 7:55AM8.61m | 8:11PM9.00m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:31AM3.29m | 10:20PM3.09m | 10:50AM2.91m | 11:23PM2.60m | 11:43AM2.36m | 00:08AM2.02m | 12:22PM1.78m | 00:45AM1.45m | 12:57PM1.25m | 1:17AM0.97m | 1:28PM0.82m | 1:48AM0.59m | 1:59PM0.51m | 2:18AM0.36m | |||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 15 | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
Temp °C | 19 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | W 9 | SW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | WSW 9 | W 8 | SW 5 | SW 8 | SW 7 | WSW 6 | SW 9 | — | — | — | — | W 8 |
| kJ | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 24 | 8 | 22 | 79 | — | — | — | — | 336 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 9 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 10 | SW 8 | SW 8 | S 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 15 | — | — | — | SW 14 | — | — | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 4 | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 3 | E 3 | E 3 | E 3 | ESE 3 | — | — | S 3 | — | — | SW 5 | — | — | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 25 | — | — | 150 | 442 | 284 | 365 | 427 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 105 | 131 | 34 | 415 | 310 | 298 | 140 | 183 | 140 | 141 | 381 | 139 | 130 | 152 | 60 | 0 | 137 | 21 | 394 | 311 | 311 |
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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