Rest Bay Reviews and Ratings
(Wales – South East, UK)
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Visitor reviews of Rest Bay surf break
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“Rest Bay is a scenic spot with quite consistent surf, certainly for the region anyway. The waves are usually a bit bigger than the breaks further east in the Vale of Glamorgan (apart from one or two secret spots). The beach is the best break for all abilities in a town of 14,000 population so there tends to be a crowd whenever there is a wave. For a quiet surf go when most are in work or school if you can. The vibe is friendly even if it is busy but at high tide there is little beach left and exit points are few so there is more pressure on the take off spots.
The waves can be very good here but are far from world class. It gets well over head on occasion maxing at about 1.5x but that is quite rare when it is offshore as well. You'll be surprised how thin the crowd is when that happens. There are lefts and rights here in equal quantity and the waves generally pick up in size as the tide comes in. All the breaks from Rest Bay to the Vale of Glamorgan are significantly influenced by the huge tidal range and falling tides tend to dampen surf and even kill it in some instances. Definitely watch out for the rip that takes you around the rocky headland to the left of the beach on an incoming tide particularly.
Being a seaside town there are lots of pubs and cafes around with a friendly one at the car park. Watch out for redneck council workers checking for Pay and Display tickets even in the depths of winter.”
Q, VoG from UNITED KINGDOM - 07 Mar 2010
Rest Bay Ratings
Overall: 3.6. Based on 15 votes and 1 review. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.9(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 3.6(1: Rest Bay is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 4.0(1: Rest Bay is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Wales - South East. 5: the best break in Wales - South East). |
Difficulty Level: 2.6(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 3.0(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Rest Bay can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 2.7(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Rest Bay, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 3.6(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Rest Bay are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 3.1(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 2.5(1: Often too crowded. 5: Rest Bay is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 4.8(1: Getting to Rest Bay requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 4.0(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 4.4(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 4.1(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Rest Bay for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 3.2(1: Camping at Rest Bay is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 3.4(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Rest Bay is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 4.6(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 4.0(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Rest Bay, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 3.7(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Rest Bay where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
