Rest Bay
Rest Bay is the most consistent break in Porthcawl's varied lineup--a broad sandy beach that picks up SW swells.
Rest Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 270°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 20° - 80°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Water temp
11°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
3/10
Crowd level
7/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Rest Bay?
Rest Bay is a beach break in Porthcawl, South Wales, UK, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Rest Bay?
Rest Bay picks up swell from the SSW round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Rest Bay?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Rest Bay, and anything from the NNE round to the E keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Rest Bay?
Rest Bay is at its best around the low to mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Rest Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Rest Bay comes Sep to Feb. There's a second window in Mar to May too.
How cold is the water at Rest Bay?
The water at Rest Bay averages around 11°C, so you'll want a 5/4mm with boots. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Rest Bay good for beginners?
Yes, it's one of the friendlier waves around, rated 3/10 for difficulty. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Rip current around headland. Vast tidal range. Avoid at high tide. Pollution possible.
How do I get to Rest Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is CWL, then it's roughly a 35-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Rest Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Porthcawl Point (1.5 km), Sandy Bay (17 km) and Three Peaks (19 km), handy when Rest Bay isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Mar-May
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Porthcawl Point
South Wales' most popular - High tide specialist - Sea wall barrels
Sandy Bay
Welsh wedge • Bristol Channel pulse • Tide-critical bodyboard wave
Three Peaks
Gower's powerful reef - A-frame peaks - Best at high tide
Crab Island
Gower reef break - Needs size to fire - Sharp reef
Pete's Reef
Gower's shallow reef - Low tide specialist - Sharp and technical
Lynmouth
Devon's fickle left point - Cliff access only - Needs size to fire