Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 1PM.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with each other – I've scanned the charts and this is a tough run for our local waters. The long and the short of it is that we're looking at a mostly empty stretch with only one tiny hope at the very end. Don't get your hopes up for any sort of classic session.
We're starting off with nothing. Absolutely flat through the end of August and the first week of September. That's September 10th before we see our first and only real reading of the entire forecast. There's a long dry spell here where the ocean just isn't cooperating.
Then, finally, on the morning of September 10th, something tries to happen. Paignton picks up a small, weak swell from the northeast, only 2 ft and a short period of 4 seconds. With a cross-onshore wind from the northeast at 9 mph, it's a choppy, low-energy day. The combined energy is a measly 8, so it's barely a ripple. That afternoon, the wind shifts to a clean cross-offshore and the swell bumps up slightly to 3 ft from the east-northeast, with just a tiny bit more energy (33). But even then, the wave comment says "poor surf conditions." For a beginner-friendly, inconsistent spot like Paignton, with the water temperature sitting at 67° (a massive anomaly of 5° warmer than normal – the sea is feeling a little toasty for this time of year), the lack of any real swell means there's just nothing to ride.
So, what's the call? The whole 16-day window is a bust. There are no standout days. The afternoon of September 10th offers the only window with any shape at all, but with that small, weak energy it's not worth paddling out for. Keep your board in the car, wait for the next system, and check back with me. It's bound to change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat morning, light winds from the SW by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Mon night, strong winds from the SW by Wed morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 5 | SW 4 | SSW 6 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 9 | WSW 10 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 3 | SW 5 | S 16 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 3 | SW 4 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:54PM3.84m | 8:15AM3.68m | 8:26PM3.97m | 8:47AM3.79m | 8:57PM4.01m | 9:18AM3.82m | 9:29PM3.96m | 9:51AM3.76m | 10:03PM3.83m | 10:24AM3.63m | 10:39PM3.61m | 11:02AM3.43m | 11:20PM3.33m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:28AM0.13m | 1:36PM0.15m | 1:58AM-0.04m | 2:08PM0.02m | 2:29AM-0.13m | 2:41PM-0.03m | 3:02AM-0.12m | 3:16PM0.02m | 3:38AM0.01m | 3:54PM0.17m | 4:16AM0.24m | 4:36PM0.43m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | |  |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — |
 | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:54 | — |
mm | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | — | SW 9 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | W 9 | SW 5 | S 16 | SW 15 | S 15 | S 5 | S 15 | S 15 |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 44 | — | 104 | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 10 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | SW 7 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | 33 | 10 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 12 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | SW 4 | SSW 6 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 5 | SW 5 | W 3 | W 3 | WNW 2 | — | SW 3 | — | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 6 | — | SW 3 | SW 4 |
| kJ | 63 | 29 | 220 | 645 | 253 | 69 | 49 | 106 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 6 | — | 4 | 45 | 96 | — | 11 | 16 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 296 | 166 | 478 | 317 | 131 | 64 | 83 | 547 | 163 | 44 | 115 | 40 | 170 | 193 | 119 | 441 | 193 | 251 | 104 | 193 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Devon | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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