Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, ENE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, E swell with 73 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The surf forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 5s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a coffee or a beer, because we've got a long look ahead for Paignton and honestly, it's a bit of a tale of woe. The whole 16-day window is a massive flat spell. There's barely a ripple on the horizon for weeks.
We kick off from Wednesday afternoon the 29th of July with absolutely nothing – zero energy in the water. That dead calm carries right through Thursday and Friday. Saturday the 1st of August sees a tiny tease of 0.3 ft from the NE, but the combined energy is a pathetic 1, so it's just not worth paddling out for.
Sunday the 2nd through to Wednesday the 5th of August? Still hopeless. A few little knee-high bumps show up, but the energy readings stay in the low teens or single digits. We're looking at wind that's mostly cross or onshore, keeping things messy anyway. The only slight silver lining is that on the 1st and the 13th of August, we get some glassy conditions, but there's literally nothing to surf on those days.
The real kicker is the end of the first week and into the second. By Friday the 7th of August, we get some actual height – 3 ft on the Friday afternoon from the east – but with a fresh onshore breeze at 19 mph and a short 6-second period, it's going to be a blown-out, choppy mess. The combined energy only hits 62, so it's weak anyway. That kind of setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Saturday the 8th is the same story: onshore wind and sloppy surf.
After that, it's back to practically nothing for the rest of the run. Monday the 10th shows a brief window of offshore wind, but the swell is tiny and unimpressive. The last flicker of hope is Thursday the 13th of August, with a glassy 3 ft from the ESE and a combined energy of 20. In any normal place, that would be a fun little wave. But for a beginner spot like Paignton that's already inconsistent, a glassy 3 ft from a short period is just a gentle bump. It's the best of a very bad bunch, but it’s barely worth getting wet for.
The water temperature is sitting at 67°F at the start, which is about 5°F warmer than usual for the time of year. That's a notable anomaly, feeling much warmer than normal for late July.
Honestly, this is a blank run. If you’re an absolute beginner and just want to sit on a board in warm, flat water, go for it. But for actual waves, save your energy. Forecasts can change, but right now, there’s nothing on the table.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 3 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | — | NNW 3 | W 10 | NE 4 | NNE 3 | NE 3 | ENE 3 | NE 2 | E 5 | E 6 | ENE 4 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 53 | 61 | 52 | 41 | 24 | 6 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:48PM3.53m | 8:09AM3.35m | 8:21PM3.71m | 8:42AM3.47m | 8:54PM3.82m | 9:15AM3.55m | 9:25PM3.86m | 9:47AM3.57m | 9:57PM3.83m | 10:20AM3.55m | 10:29PM3.74m | 10:54AM3.47m | 11:04PM3.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:19AM0.50m | 1:26PM0.47m | 1:52AM0.33m | 1:58PM0.34m | 2:23AM0.20m | 2:30PM0.26m | 2:55AM0.12m | 3:03PM0.23m | 3:28AM0.10m | 3:39PM0.26m | 4:04AM0.16m | 4:17PM0.37m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — |
 | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 17 |
Feels °C | 20 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 5 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | ENE 3 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | E 6 | WSW 8 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 |
| kJ | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 61 | 6 | 41 | 24 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | WSW 8 | — | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | SW 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 7 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 7 | — | 6 | 5 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | W 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | W 3 | — | SW 3 | NNW 2 | — | — | NNW 3 | — | SW 3 | NNE 3 | NE 3 | — | NE 2 | E 5 | — | ENE 4 | NNE 4 | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | 1 | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | 1 | 53 | — | 52 | 11 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 193 | 138 | 246 | 280 | 129 | 132 | 279 | 137 | 156 | 156 | 132 | 156 | 135 | 87 | 87 | 113 | 113 | 113 | 366 | 374 |
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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