
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 4s period, S swell with 6 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.5m 4s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 4s |
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 from Paignton is about as flat as a pancake for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long, quiet run ahead, so don’t expect much action until well into the second week.
The water temp is sitting at 66°F and that’s a solid 5°F warmer than usual, so it’s noticeably mild for mid-September. Feels more like summer than autumn.
From right now, Thursday the 10th, through to Monday the 14th, there’s absolutely no swell to speak of. Zero energy in the water. Winds are mostly cross-off or offshore, but with nothing to push, it’s a total write-off for surfing. The Tuesday the 15th brings a tiny bump—2ft from the south with a short period of just 4 seconds, so it’s really weak (wave energy of 6). Not worth paddling for. That pretty much sums up the rest of the first week and into the second.
On Tuesday the 22nd, we finally see a little pulse of energy. The morning has 3ft from the east-northeast at 5 seconds, with wave energy climbing to 43. By the afternoon, it picks up to 3ft from the east at 6 seconds, energy at 57. Waves are surfable but very ordinary. Winds are light or cross-off, so the surface will be clean, but the waves are small and short-period. Not a standout.
After that, it fades again. Wednesday the 23rd drops back to 2ft and energy of 15, then Thursday the 24th flatlines again. Friday the 25th has onshore winds and no swell.
Honestly, there’s no real highlight here. If you’re desperate, Tuesday the 22nd afternoon is your best bet with those 3ft waves from the east, but it’s barely worth it for a beginner session. It’s a quiet spell for Paignton—these dry runs happen, and forecasts can change, but for now, don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Thu afternoon, light winds from the W by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the WNW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 5 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | W 8 | SW 4 | SW 4 | W 10 | SW 3 | SW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | W 12 | S 4 | SE 4 | WSW 8 | N 3 | WSW 10 | N 3 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:10PM3.91m | 7:36AM3.78m | 7:48PM4.07m | 8:11AM3.91m | 8:23PM4.11m | 8:43AM3.93m | 8:55PM4.03m | 9:13AM3.85m | 9:25PM3.86m | 9:41AM3.71m | 9:54PM3.63m | 10:08AM3.50m | 10:23PM3.36m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:13PM0.37m | 00:41AM0.07m | 12:53PM0.13m | 1:17AM-0.10m | 1:30PM-0.01m | 1:52AM-0.15m | 2:05PM-0.05m | 2:25AM-0.10m | 2:38PM0.02m | 2:56AM0.06m | 3:11PM0.18m | 3:27AM0.29m | 3:42PM0.42m | 3:57AM0.57m | |||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | SSW 5 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 11 | SW 5 | W 10 | SW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | W 8 | SE 4 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | W 11 |
3 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 238 | 10 | 84 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 6 | 21 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | — | — | WSW 8 | — | — | W 15 | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 10 | — | SW 6 |
3 | — | — | 6 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | — | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 4 | — | SW 8 | — | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 4 | W 10 | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | S 4 | WNW 3 | — | N 3 | NNW 3 | N 3 |
5 | 36 | 34 | — | 24 | — | 4 | 17 | 14 | 353 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | — | 5 | 1 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 170 | 164 | 40 | 29 | 104 | 40 | 109 | 193 | 64 | 13 | 104 | 30 | 40 | 109 | 92 | 30 | 1407 | 29 | 106 | 40 | 29 |
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.










