
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, E swell with 875 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period with E 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 10s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
Right then, let’s have a proper look at the charts for the next two weeks. Straight up, it’s a bit of a struggle for Paignton. The whole 16-day run is looking pretty ordinary, and there’s a big gap with no real surf on offer. From the 18th of July right through to the 24th, we’re looking at almost a full week of flat, pretty much nothing worth paddling out for. That’s a long stretch of inactivity.
The first few days have a bit of movement, but it’s messy. On Thursday the 9th, the water is unusually warm, sitting at 65°F with a massive anomaly, but it’s not helping. The first proper swell shows up on the 10th, but it’s tiny. Friday morning brings a 1ft wave from the east-northeast, with a period of just 3 seconds – that’s barely a ripple. The combined energy is only 3 (weak), and the wind is onshore. It’s not going to be a good time.
Saturday the 11th sees a jump to 4ft from the east, with a period of 6 seconds. The combined energy hits 132 (moderate), but the wind is a cross-onshore moderate breeze, making it choppy. It’s still rated as poor surf. For a beginner spot, that’s a bit too much wind for a clean session.
Sunday the 12th pushes up to 5ft, still from the east, with a period of 6 seconds and energy at 213 (moderate). The wind is a fresh cross-onshore, again lumpy and messy. Not the kind of conditions that make you want to rush down.
The biggest swell of the run lands on Monday the 13th: 8ft from the east, period of 8 seconds, and a combined energy of 853 (strong). That’s a solid wall of water, but it’s accompanied by a fresh cross-onshore wind. At that size, Paignton is going to be a handful for anyone but experts, and the wind is ruining the shape. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, honestly. It stays messy through the 14th and 15th with moderate energy, but the wind never cleans up.
The only glimmer of hope comes on Thursday the 16th afternoon. The swell drops to 4ft from the east, period of 6 seconds, and the wind swings offshore out of the west at 6 mph. The combined energy is only 91 (weak), but the conditions are described as “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions” and “clean.” That’s the best you’re going to get, and it’s still a low score. It’s not a standout, it’s just the least bad of the lot.
Honestly, I can’t pick a proper standout here. The whole period is a write-off for decent surf. The water is unusually warm, but that doesn’t help the waves. If you’re desperate, keep an eye on that Thursday afternoon window, but don’t hold your breath. The gap from the 18th to the 24th is a blank run, which is normal for the area when the swell windows are tight.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the NE by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Sun night, light winds from the E by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | ENE 3 | E 4 | E 4 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 132 | 86 | 64 | 213 | 255 | 436 | 853 | 600 | 828 | 474 | 295 | 220 | 302 | 364 | 640 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:49PM3.05m | 2:09AM3.08m | 2:57PM3.04m | 3:28AM3.02m | 4:20PM3.12m | 4:59AM3.10m | 5:40PM3.34m | 6:17AM3.30m | 6:44PM3.61m | 7:17AM3.52m | 7:38PM3.87m | 8:08AM3.68m | 8:25PM4.06m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:42PM1.02m | 8:24AM0.85m | 9:05PM0.97m | 9:40AM0.79m | 10:18PM0.79m | 10:46AM0.64m | 11:21PM0.53m | 11:43AM0.45m | 00:16AM0.28m | 12:34PM0.27m | 1:06AM0.08m | 1:21PM0.15m | 1:53AM-0.04m | ||||||||
5:11 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 25 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 21 |
Feels °C | 23 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | — | W 16 | — | S 19 | S 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | S 6 | SW 5 | S 16 | S 16 | W 13 |
2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 5 | — | 7 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | S 15 | — | — | SW 15 | S 6 | S 18 | S 14 | W 10 | W 10 | S 13 |
— | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 18 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 8 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | SW 16 | S 13 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 3 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 3 | E 4 | E 4 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 |
— | — | — | 3 | 9 | 9 | 132 | 86 | 64 | 213 | 255 | 436 | 853 | 600 | 828 | 474 | 295 | 220 | 302 | 364 | 640 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 132 | 81 | 81 | 89 | 81 | 81 | 89 | 85 | 482 | 105 | 566 | 281 | 171 | 105 | 105 | 87 | 20 | 124 | 29 | 0 |
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.










