Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, E swell with 158 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) 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 0.3m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
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’ll be straight with you, mate – it’s a tough stretch. The forecast is pretty barren for the most part. We’ve got a real dry spell right through the middle of the window, with no real surf to speak of for a solid stretch. The first real chance to get wet doesn’t show up until later.
The water is sitting at 68°F right now, which is a whopping 7°F warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s very unusual – feels like bathwater.
Alright, let’s break it down. The first week is a bit of a write-off. The waves are small, the wind is messy, and the energy is weak. Between Tuesday the 14th and Thursday the 23rd, the surf is just poor. You’ll see tiny, weak waves with a combined energy down in the single digits or low double digits (205 at best, but that’s with poor conditions). The wind is mostly cross-onshore, keeping things choppy and uninviting.
There is a bit of a pulse that sneaks in around Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd. The swell bumps up to around 6ft on the 22nd, with a combined energy of 309, and then 7ft on the 23rd (energy 475). But here’s the kicker – the wind is cross-onshore from the ENE, and the forecast just says “poor surf conditions.” The period is only 7 seconds, so it’s a messy, short-period wind swell. At that size, with the onshore wind, it’s going to be a washing machine. For a beginner spot like Paignton, 7ft is too big, and the conditions are nasty. It’s more suited to the kite crew than a paddle surfer, to be honest.
After that, the surf drops right off again. From Friday the 24th all the way through to Tuesday the 28th, the combined energy is pitiful, mostly under 20. The 29th shows a little clean-up with a light offshore wind from the WNW, but the swell is a tiny 1ft with a 4-second period. That’s barely a ripple.
So, the honest truth? There’s no standout session here. The forecast is a long, flat, and poor-quality run. It’s a frustrating outlook for Paignton. The best you could hope for is a gamble on the 22nd or 23rd if you’re desperate, but don’t expect much. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a blank run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | ENE 3 | E 3 | W 8 | NNE 2 | E 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 205 | 100 | 13 | 71 | 158 | 50 | 86 | 39 | 11 | 37 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 3 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:38PM3.87m | 8:08AM3.68m | 8:25PM4.06m | 8:54AM3.77m | 9:09PM4.13m | 9:37AM3.76m | 9:50PM4.09m | 10:18AM3.68m | 10:30PM3.93m | 10:57AM3.53m | 11:07PM3.70m | 11:34AM3.33m | 11:44PM3.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:34PM0.27m | 1:06AM0.08m | 1:21PM0.15m | 1:53AM-0.04m | 2:06PM0.10m | 2:37AM-0.06m | 2:49PM0.13m | 3:20AM0.02m | 3:31PM0.26m | 4:02AM0.18m | 4:12PM0.46m | 4:43AM0.42m | 4:55PM0.70m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:18 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 18 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 20 | 13 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 5 | SW 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | SW 5 | E 3 | — | — | — | E 4 | W 9 | E 4 | ESE 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 37 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 9 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 18 | W 10 | S 16 | S 16 | W 9 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 7 | SW 6 | S 12 | — | W 8 | — | — | W 8 | W 7 | — | W 12 | W 9 | — |
| kJ | 6 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | 3 | 2 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 11 | S 14 | W 10 | W 10 | S 13 | — | SW 12 | — | S 12 | SW 12 | SW 6 | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | W 7 | — | — | W 8 |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 6 | — | 3 | 6 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | — | — | SSW 6 | WSW 3 | ENE 3 | — | — | NNE 2 | E 4 | — | ESE 4 | — | — |
| kJ | 205 | 100 | 13 | 71 | 158 | 50 | 86 | 39 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 9 | — | 5 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 98 | 105 | 156 | 286 | 105 | 378 | 113 | 87 | 138 | 1522 | 515 | 495 | 529 | 417 | 105 | 98 | 105 | 290 | 483 | 105 |
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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