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Experience pastel mornings and moonlit nights on the Porthcawl coast. Its yawning stretch of shoreline is home to the swirling seas of Rest Bay, a beach loved by watersports enthusiasts, beach walkers and sunbathers alike. Just fifteen minutes along the coast lies Pink Bay, its steep pebbly bank leading down onto flat sand edged by a rocky shoreline with a pink marble effect.
Rest Bay is one of the most consistent surfing beaches in South Wales and is the Welsh equivalent of Fistral beach. Catch some waves on a lesson at Porthcawl surf school or hire equipment and go it alone.
Porthcawl is a spot of natural beauty, surrounded by panoramas of ocean. From the Gower in the West, the Bristol Channel in the East and Devon’s Exmoor in the South, it’s a delight for the eyes as well as the soul. Porthcawl has something for everyone- days can be spent thrill-seeking at the nearby watersports centre, paddling in secret rockpools, or golfing at the world-renowned Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, the number one golf course in Wales. Head further west to Sker Bay and Kenfig Nature Reserve for bird watching – or perhaps a glimpse of a seal or dolphin. You may even find the rare Fen Orchid!
Porthcawl sits midway between Cardiff and Swansea, perfectly connecting this beachside haven to the bustle of the outside world and is easily accessible from junction 37 of the M4.
Hear the sizzle of grilled seafood and the clink of Champagne at the newly refurbished harbourside which caters for cosmopolitan tastes across a vibrant mixture of restaurants and cafes. The classic seaside spirit buzzes throughout the town, from its seafront promenade to its independent boutiques.
There’s a seasonal dog ban in place on Rest Bay between 1 May and 30 September. Nearby Newton beach and Pink Bay allow dogs all year round. Please refer to the council website for more information.
https://www.bridgend.gov.uk/visit-us/beaches-in-bridgend-county-borough/
Lifeguards are on duty from May to September. However if there’s no flag, there’s no lifeguard. Rest Bay Watersports Centre houses a Surf Academy, a Beach Academy and Restaurant and Café bar. Toilets, showers, beach shop and first aid can also be found here. There is also a lost children point.
There is one pay and display car park next to Rest Bay, and several parking bays for disabled drivers overlooking it.
Instant beach
Beach BBQ tips
Weather windows
Lia Leendertz Q&A: on seasonal energy, hibernation and klys
