
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 4s period, ESE swell with 2 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.3m 4s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Paignton over the next couple of weeks. I’ve got to be straight with you—it’s a tough run. The combined energy of all swells directed here is a flat zero (0) for most of the period, and when we do see a tiny pulse, it’s barely a ripple. The water is sitting at 67°F for the first break I mention, which is a whopping 6°F warmer than normal for this time of year—that’s very unusual, almost like a warm bath, but it won’t help the waves.
We start off on Tuesday the 21st of July with absolutely nothing—zero swell, cross-shore wind, and the report says “poor surf conditions.” That carries right through Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. There’s a glimmer on Friday morning the 24th with a tiny 0.7 ft swell from the ESE at 3 seconds, and the wind is glassy, so it’ll be clean, but with a period that short and height that small, it’s not really surfable. The combined energy is just 1 (weak), so you’re looking at a lake.
From Saturday the 25th of July all the way through to Tuesday the 5th of August, we’ve got a massive gap. Day after day of no swell, just clean offshore winds but no waves to ride. The odd day shows a 0.7 ft bump on the 1st of August, but with a period of 3 seconds and energy of 1, it’s not worth getting wet for. The wind is often offshore or cross-off, and the water will be clean, but there’s simply nothing to push a surfer.
There’s no standout option here, no session to get excited about. For a spot like Paignton, which is a beginner break that’s inconsistent and only fairly exposed to the east, a blank run like this is more normal for the area. Keep an eye on the forecasts—they can change—but right now, I’d leave the boards in the car.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 | — | NNE 2 | — | — | SE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | NNW 2 | — | WNW 3 | W 3 | W 7 | W 3 | WSW 6 | NW 3 | NW 3 | WSW 5 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 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 | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 00:21AM3.12m | 12:50PM2.93m | 1:02AM2.85m | 1:36PM2.75m | 1:54AM2.63m | 2:38PM2.64m | 3:12AM2.51m | 4:16PM2.64m | 5:04AM2.57m | 5:43PM2.81m | 6:13AM2.76m | 6:34PM3.06m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:40PM0.97m | 6:11AM0.97m | 6:35PM1.23m | 7:11AM1.21m | 7:53PM1.41m | 8:31AM1.36m | 9:21PM1.44m | 9:49AM1.35m | 10:31PM1.32m | 10:50AM1.22m | 11:24PM1.14m | 11:37AM1.04m | 00:07AM0.92m | |||||||
— | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
— | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 22 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | — | — | — | — | WSW 5 | — | WSW 6 | SW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | W 7 | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | — |
2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | — | — | — | — | S 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — |
1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNE 2 | — | — | SE 3 | ESE 3 | — | — | SSW 2 | NNW 2 | — | WNW 3 | W 3 | — | W 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | — |
— | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 5 | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 712 | 258 | 499 | 680 | 409 | 98 | 156 | 156 | 515 | 576 | 567 | 907 | 367 | 130 | 246 | 245 | 40 | 109 | 228 | 137 |
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.










