What is the fishing index based on?

It combines solunar theory — moon phase plus the major and minor feeding windows that track the moon's transit, moonrise and moonset — with local weather factors such as wind, pressure and tide state.

When is the best time to fish at Porthcawl Beach?

The strongest bites cluster in the major solunar windows, especially where they overlap dawn or dusk. Check today's hourly activity chart and plan to be on the sand an hour before a major window opens.

How is the surf rating calculated?

Each hour is scored on swell height, period and direction, plus wind speed and its state relative to the coast. For curated spots the score is tuned to the break's optimal swell window; otherwise it reflects general conditions.

Fishing & Surf Forecast — Porthcawl Beach

Solunar feeding times, surf ratings and the best hours on the water at Porthcawl Beach.

The fishing index blends solunar theory — moon phase plus major and minor feeding windows — with local weather, computed from open data and local astronomy. Surf ratings score open marine-model data against what this coast works best with. Use them to pick your times: they are planning aids, not safety advice.

Today at Porthcawl Beach

80Excellent85Epic

Best fishing window: 11:07 – 13:07 (Peak 12:07)

Best surf window: 07:00 – 08:00 (85)

Spot Profile

Curated orientation and preferences for this beach.

Rest Bay takes big Bristol Channel windswell over one of the largest tidal ranges in the world; check the tide before walking out.

Best swell: 240° ± 40°, 280° ± 30°
Best wind: offshore (E-NE)
Best tide: mid
Surf level: intermediate

Fishing styles: Surfcasting

Beach faces 240° (WSW)
Optimal swell from 240° ± 40°
Optimal swell from 280° ± 30°
Today's swell from 264° (W)

Fishing Forecast — Today

Hourly Fishing Activity

Solunar activity score by hour. Dark bars sit inside major feeding periods; light blue bars mark minor periods.

Major period
Minor period
Dawn & dusk periods

Solunar Feeding Windows

Major periods run around the moon's transit and moonrise/moonset; shorter minor periods flank them. Peaks mark the strongest feeding minutes.

Waxing Gibbous

98% illuminated

Minor04:57 – 05:57Peak 05:27
Major11:07 – 13:07Peak 12:07
Minor18:00 – 19:00Peak 18:30

Surf Report — Today

Hourly Surf Conditions

Surf score by hour with swell height on the right axis. Hover for swell period, direction and wind. Marine forecast window starts 01:00.

Wind states used in the hourly data:

Glassy
Offshore
Cross-offshore
Cross-shore
Cross-onshore
Onshore
Unknown

Best Times

Today's top surf windows and tomorrow's fishing windows at a glance.

Surf — best windows today

07:00 – 08:0085

Fishing — windows tomorrow

Major23:29 – 01:29
Minor06:16 – 07:16
Major11:52 – 13:52
Minor18:12 – 19:12

Ratings account for this spot's preferred swell direction.

7-Day Fishing & Surf Outlook

Daily fishing and surf outlook for the week ahead.

Today
80Excellent85Epic
Tomorrow
90Excellent85Epic
Sun 27 Sep
77Excellent60Fair
Mon 28 Sep
80Excellent60Fair
Tue 29 Sep
80Excellent46Poor
Wed 30 Sep
80Excellent35Poor
Thu 1 Oct
80Excellent22Very Poor

Methodology & Data Sources

Fishing: solunar + weather computed locally. Surf: Open-Meteo Marine (DWD EWAM/GWAM models). Scores are 0-100 planning indicators — always confirm conditions with official marine forecasts before swimming, fishing or surfing.

Marine data: Open-Meteo.com (CC-BY 4.0)

How the Fishing & Surf Index works

Frequently asked questions

What is the fishing index based on?: It combines solunar theory — moon phase plus the major and minor feeding windows that track the moon's transit, moonrise and moonset — with local weather factors such as wind, pressure and tide state.
When is the best time to fish at Porthcawl Beach?: The strongest bites cluster in the major solunar windows, especially where they overlap dawn or dusk. Check today's hourly activity chart and plan to be on the sand an hour before a major window opens.
How is the surf rating calculated?: Each hour is scored on swell height, period and direction, plus wind speed and its state relative to the coast. For curated spots the score is tuned to the break's optimal swell window; otherwise it reflects general conditions.