Surf Forecasts:
Rest Bay surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, W swell with 206 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 20) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. 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 1.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rest Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at Rest Bay. It’s a beach and point set-up, exposed to the swell, and it loves a good SW direction. I’ll be honest, the next two weeks are a real grind, and you’ll be waiting a while for anything worth paddling for.
First up, it’s flat. From Wednesday 19th through to Sunday 23rd, the surf is tiny and pretty poor. The swell is a sad little 2ft on Wednesday morning, but it’s glassy – that’s the only good thing. The wind is light and clean on the 22nd Saturday morning with a 1ft, 10-second period swell, but it’s just not enough. The combined energy is weak (40). To be honest, it’s a total write-off. You’re looking at about 5 days with no real surf.
We get a little flicker on Wednesday 26th morning. The swell bumps up to 3ft, 8-second period from the WSW, and the wind is a light cross-offshore. The combined energy is moderate (127). The report says surfable but very ordinary. It’s not great, but it’s the first thing worth paddling out for. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.
Then it goes quiet again until the end of the month. We get a pulse on the 30th August Sunday with a 5ft swell, but it’s a fresh cross-shore wind (22 mph) making it lumpy and messy. Not what you want.
The big news is the end of the run. On Monday 31st August morning, we get a proper swell – 8ft from the WSW, 10-second period. That’s a solid groundswell, and the combined energy is strong (1230). The catch? The wind is a moderate cross-onshore, so it’s going to be choppy. At 8ft, this is expert-only territory, too big for beginners. The point might handle it better than the beach if the direction holds, but the wind is a real letdown. The 1st September Tuesday morning drops to 6ft but still cross-on, so not much better.
Honestly, if you’ve got a kite, that strong wind and solid swell from the 30th August through to the 1st September looks more interesting for a kite session than a clean paddle. For a surfer, you’re waiting for a window that just doesn’t fully open. The best of a bad bunch is the 26th August Wednesday morning – it’s small, but the conditions are clean. The 31st August Monday morning has the size, but the wind is going to spoil it. Promise but no delivery.
Stay patient, keep checking the forecast. Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue night, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | W 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 37 | 69 | 139 | 181 | 206 | 106 | 40 | 22 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 203 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:22AM7.34m | 11:42PM7.06m | 12:04PM6.72m | 00:30AM6.40m | 1:00PM6.16m | 1:39AM5.89m | 2:24PM5.84m | 3:16AM5.76m | 4:00PM5.98m | 4:38AM6.08m | 5:06PM6.47m | 5:32AM6.62m | 5:53PM7.08m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:05AM1.67m | 5:23PM1.95m | 5:45AM2.30m | 6:09PM2.56m | 6:37AM2.88m | 7:14PM3.08m | 7:53AM3.28m | 8:46PM3.31m | 9:31AM3.29m | 10:20PM3.09m | 10:50AM2.91m | 11:23PM2.60m | 11:43AM2.36m | 00:08AM2.02m | |||||||
 | |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — |
 | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | — | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | — | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WNW 4 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 |
| kJ | 37 | — | 139 | 181 | — | 106 | 40 | 22 | 3 | 18 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 203 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | — | SW 16 | — | — | SW 14 | — | SW 13 | WSW 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | NW 4 | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 11 | — | 10 | — | — | 8 | — | 7 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 8 | — | 8 | 8 | 7 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | W 10 | NW 6 | SW 15 | — | — | SW 14 | — | — | — | W 13 | W 10 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 2 | 1 | 9 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 5 | — | W 7 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | — | SSE 2 | SSE 3 |
| kJ | — | 69 | — | 150 | 206 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 6 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 453 | 311 | 71 | 70 | 22 | 0 | 2 | 42 | 271 | 34 | 42 | 90 | 90 | 194 | 140 | 339 | 342 | 339 | 94 | 40 | 0 |
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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