Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, E swell with 75 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 4PM. 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 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaking for Paignton in feet and Fahrenheit.
Honestly, mate, it’s a pretty bleak outlook for the next 16 days. The swell just isn’t showing up with any real energy, and when there is a little bump, the wind tends to mess it up. There’s no one day that jumps out as a proper session, so we’re looking at a lot of flat or poor conditions.
Starting off, Tuesday the 11th of August we’ve got tiny 1ft to 3ft easterly swell with a period of only 3 to 5 seconds – that’s just wind chop, not real surf. The wind is onshore from the east at 12 mph, making for messy, poor conditions. Combined energy is a weak 3 to 34, so no hope there.
Wednesday the 12th is similar with 3ft to 2ft easterly swell, but the wind swings cross-onshore in the morning, keeping it choppy. The afternoon gets a little lighter, but still onshore and poor.
Thursday the 13th is the closest we get to anything decent, and that’s saying something. Morning sees a 2ft easterly swell with a 6-second period, but the wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNW at 9 mph, giving us clean conditions for a change. It’s still tiny and combined energy is only 21, but a longboarder might get a few soft ones. Afternoon drops to 1ft, staying clean but tiny.
From Friday the 14th right through to the 26th of August, it’s mostly flat with zero combined swell energy. There are a few days like the 15th with a tiny 0.3ft to 1ft bump from the northeast, but it’s barely a ripple. The 17th afternoon has a sudden 4ft easterly swell showing 123 combined energy, but the wind is onshore at 12 mph, and the period is only 6 seconds – poor quality, messy.
The 22nd to the 26th sees offshore winds from the west and southwest, which is a beautiful sign, but there’s absolutely no swell to work with. Clean and glassy, but flat as a tack.
Overall, if you’re a beginner just wanting to get wet on a foamy, the cleanest and most rideable moment would be Thursday the 13th morning, but it’s barely surf. For everyone else, this is a 16-day gap with no real recommendation. It’s one of those stretches where the ocean just isn’t cooperating.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 3 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | WSW 10 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | NNE 3 | NE 4 | N 3 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | E 4 | ENE 2 | E 6 | E 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 34 | 23 | 54 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 75 | 20 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:17AM3.22m | 6:39PM3.61m | 7:11AM3.51m | 7:27PM3.92m | 7:56AM3.73m | 8:10PM4.12m | 8:36AM3.86m | 8:49PM4.19m | 9:13AM3.88m | 9:25PM4.13m | 9:48AM3.81m | 9:59PM3.96m | 10:20AM3.66m | 10:31PM3.71m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:36AM0.61m | 00:10AM0.35m | 12:25PM0.35m | 00:57AM0.08m | 1:09PM0.14m | 1:39AM-0.09m | 1:50PM0.03m | 2:18AM-0.15m | 2:29PM0.01m | 2:55AM-0.09m | 3:06PM0.10m | 3:30AM0.07m | 3:42PM0.28m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | |
 | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 30 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SW 6 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 10 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | SW 8 | — | W 5 | W 7 | ENE 5 | E 4 | W 7 | E 6 | E 5 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 24 | 21 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 48 | 20 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 6 | — | W 6 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | — | W 8 | W 8 | NE 4 | — | W 8 | — | W 7 | W 7 | — | W 7 | W 7 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | WSW 2 | WNW 2 | — | — | NNW 3 | NNE 3 | SW 2 | N 3 | NE 4 | — | NNW 3 | ENE 2 | E 6 | — |
| kJ | 3 | 34 | 23 | 54 | 24 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 11 | — | 1 | 1 | 75 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 483 | 245 | 81 | 81 | 88 | 40 | 29 | 193 | 104 | 40 | 137 | 84 | 40 | 137 | 279 | 468 | 280 | 432 | 450 | 135 | 87 |
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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