Rest Bay
United Kingdom · Atlantic Europe
Right now
OvercastWind and swell direction
Swell: 0.3m W
Wind: 9 km/h ENE (offshore)
Beach faces: W
Offshore wind (blowing from land to sea). Ideal conditions, holding up wave faces for cleaner surf.
Swell is arriving at a great angle for this beach.
Today hour by hour
Updated 10:08Expected crowds
Prediction model v16amDawn patrol territory
7amMidweek quiet
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWhat to pack
- 4/3mm wetsuit recommended for 12°C water.
- Small waves expected. Longboard or fish to make the most of it.
- Strong winds on some days. Check the forecast each morning.
Today's briefing
0.4m swell at 7s. Onshore wind creating some chop. Water temperature 12°C.
AI-generated summary for Rest Bay. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Rest Bay
Not enough data yet. Log a session to help build the accuracy score.
Best time to go
No great windows in the next 2 days
Best available option is Today around 5pm (score: 2). Conditions are below the Good threshold but may still be surfable.
Nearby spots right now
Crowd report
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Session journal
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Create free accountTide
Approximate modelSwell forecast
7-day forecastDaily score breakdown
This week is looking above average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Rest Bay.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 3 days of logged conditions.
About Rest Bay
Rest Bay is a popular, accessible beach break situated in Porthcawl along the southern coast of Wales. The bathymetric profile comprises a mix of gently sloping sand and scattered rock reefs, which become increasingly exposed as the massive tidal range drops. As south-westerly groundswells filter up the Bristol Channel, they lose some of their deep-water intensity, resulting in manageable, spilling waves rather than heavily pitching barrels. A north-easterly wind provides the optimal offshore conditions, grooming the wave faces and maintaining their structural integrity. The wave typically breaks as a slow-peeling A-frame, offering soft, forgiving lefts and rights that are highly conducive to fundamental board control, basic trim, and pop-up practice. Due to the moderate wave velocity and the relatively safe, dispersed energy of the breaking water, Rest Bay functions as a premier training ground. It is universally classified as an ideal venue for beginners and intermediate surfers seeking consistent, user-friendly mechanics.
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Create Profile →Frequently asked questions
How often is this page updated?
Current conditions refresh every 6 hours when the cron runs. Hourly data updates every 30 minutes. The 7-day forecast, luck factor, and packing notes are all pre-computed at the same time.
What is the luck factor?
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Rest Bay. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical late April.
How is 'best session' picked?
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Where does the data come from?
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Does the score capture local knowledge?
Honestly, no. Every break has tide windows, swell directions and reef contours that a global model cannot see. Treat the score as a starting point, then check a local cam.
When is the best time to surf Rest Bay?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.