Rest Bay
The closest surf beach to Cardiff and Bristol, in Porthcawl.
Rest Bay is in Porthcawl, about 40 minutes from Cardiff. It's a very consistent beach with rocks and sand, surf schools and an activity centre.
At low tide lots of rocks appear: it's better at mid to high tide.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | W, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, NE |
| Tide | Mid to high |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | All year |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A funboard or minimalibu for learning; a shortboard in good swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Rest Bay
The water is around 9 °C in winter and 16 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
For winter water at 8–11 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
An open vibe, with lots of surf schools.
Surfing style
Beach break.
Hazards
Rocks at low tide.
Map
Shapers near Rest Bay
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Vale of Glamorgan
Rock slabs below layered cliffs, with long waves when a south-west swell arrives.
Mumbles (Swansea)
Swansea's surf bay, with reefs and a beach minutes from the city.
Gower (Swansea)
The Gower peninsula's big beach, one of the most beautiful in the UK.
Pembrokeshire
A cove below a Norman castle, with a reef giving rights and lefts.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.