Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 6s period, E swell with 251 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve got to be straight with you – this stretch at Paignton isn’t looking great for a paddle. We’ve got a long, dry gap ahead. The only half-decent bit of swell doesn’t turn up until Sunday the 23rd of August, and even then the conditions are pretty ordinary.
For most of the next week and a half, we’re looking at waves that aren't even worth mentioning. Clean, offshore winds will blow through plenty of mornings, but with zero swell, there’s nothing to ride. After a long, quiet run, things finally change on Sunday the 23rd. Some easterly swell rolls in, building up to about 5 ft by morning and 6 ft in the afternoon, with a short, weak 6-second period. The combined energy comes in at 193 and 232, so that’s moderate power, but the onshore and cross-onshore easterly winds will be blowing at 16 mph, making it choppy and messy. Not the cleanest setup.
Through Monday the 24th, the swell gets a bit bigger, reaching 7 ft, still from the east, but those cross-onshore winds stay fresh at 16-22 mph. The energy climbs to 396, which is solid, but with the wind ruining the surface, it’s not going to offer much for a surfer. This one’s more for the kite crew. By Tuesday the 25th, the swell drops back to 5 ft in the morning and then fades quickly to 3 ft in the afternoon. The breezes stay cross-onshore or onshore, and it’s just not delivering clean waves.
There’s a little bump of 2-3 ft on Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th morning turns glassy, but with no swell at all, you're just sitting out there. All in all, there aren't any standouts in this outlook. The weekend of the 23rd has the most size, but the wind kills it. If you're desperate for a surf, you might score a clean but tiny wave on the glassy mornings of the 27th or 28th of August, but don't get your hopes up.
If you’re a kite surfer, that Monday the 24th with 7 ft easterly swell and fresh cross-onshore wind might be your jam.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | ENE 3 | SW 5 | — | WSW 3 | N 3 | S 16 | S 16 | S 17 | S 16 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | SW 6 | S 14 | S 13 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | E 3 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 9:59PM3.96m | 10:20AM3.66m | 10:31PM3.71m | 10:51AM3.45m | 11:01PM3.41m | 11:21AM3.22m | 11:33PM3.11m | 11:54AM2.97m | 00:10AM2.82m | 12:36PM2.74m | 00:59AM2.56m | 1:38PM2.55m | 2:18AM2.39m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:06PM0.10m | 3:30AM0.07m | 3:42PM0.28m | 4:04AM0.31m | 4:17PM0.52m | 4:37AM0.60m | 4:53PM0.82m | 5:12AM0.92m | 5:32PM1.13m | 5:53AM1.24m | 6:26PM1.44m | 7:03AM1.52m | 8:30PM1.62m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 18 | 24 | 25 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 18 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | ENE 3 | — | — | — | N 3 | S 16 | S 16 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | SW 15 | W 10 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 5 | SW 8 | SW 5 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 5 | — | — | — | S 16 | — | — | S 16 | — | — | S 14 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 | S 13 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | SW 15 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | S 14 | S 13 | S 16 | S 13 | W 11 | W 10 | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | — | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 2 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 164 | 312 | 320 | 246 | 193 | 290 | 323 | 1066 | 298 | 570 | 193 | 612 | 159 | 246 | 30 | 246 | 245 | 129 | 356 | 286 | 125 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Devon | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Paignton Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Paignton provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Paignton can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Paignton surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Paignton) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Paignton may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Paignton is 1 km (1 miles) from the city of Paignton. If you plan a holiday in South Devon, look for hotels and other accommodation in Paignton. Paignton has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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