
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, E swell with 71 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down in feet and miles per hour. It’s a flat spell, plain and simple.
First thing you’ll notice is the water—it’s 66°F, which is a good few degrees warmer than you’d expect for August. Unusual.
The only real chance for a wave is early in the period. Tuesday morning the 11th of August at Paignton shows a tiny 2ft easterly swell, but it’s got no grunt—combined energy a weak 9. With the wind blowing onshore from the east at 12 mph, it’ll be messy. By Wednesday morning the 12th, we get the best of a bad bunch: 3ft from the east, short period of 6 seconds, combined energy just 71. Still cross-onshore, so expect chop. Thursday the 13th morning cleans up a touch with a light cross-offshore breeze from the north-west at 6 mph, but the swell is already fading—2ft from the east, period 6 seconds, energy down to 31.
After Thursday the 13th, it’s all over. From Friday the 14th of August right through to Sunday the 24th, we’ve got flat calm or ripples so small they’re not even worth mentioning—combined energy barely hitting 1 or 2. There’s a glassy moment on the 20th afternoon with no wind from the south-east, but there’s zero wave to ride. For a spot like Paignton that’s already inconsistent and beginner-focused, a long stretch like this is pretty standard. If you’re looking to surf, you’re better off staying home. With the wind and lack of swell, this is more a day for kite gear than a shortboard.
Hang tight.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | W 11 | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | WSW 10 | WNW 3 | WSW 5 | SW 8 | NE 4 | N 3 | NE 3 | ENE 4 | N 2 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 9 | 50 | 34 | 71 | 33 | 11 | 31 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:39PM3.25m | 6:17AM3.22m | 6:39PM3.61m | 7:11AM3.51m | 7:27PM3.92m | 7:56AM3.73m | 8:10PM4.12m | 8:36AM3.86m | 8:49PM4.19m | 9:13AM3.88m | 9:25PM4.13m | 9:48AM3.81m | 9:59PM3.96m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:16PM0.67m | 11:36AM0.61m | 00:10AM0.35m | 12:25PM0.35m | 00:57AM0.08m | 1:09PM0.14m | 1:39AM-0.09m | 1:50PM0.03m | 2:18AM-0.15m | 2:29PM0.01m | 2:55AM-0.09m | 3:06PM0.10m | 3:30AM0.07m | |||||||
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 20 | 25 | 26 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 17 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 20 | 24 | 22 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | WSW 5 | — | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | SW 8 | — | SW 5 | W 7 | ENE 4 | — |
10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 31 | 8 | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | NE 4 | W 8 | — | W 7 | W 7 |
5 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | 2 | 8 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | — | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | WSW 4 | — | WSW 10 | WNW 3 | NNW 3 | — | SW 2 | N 3 | NE 3 | — | N 2 |
10 | — | 9 | 50 | 34 | 71 | 33 | — | — | 3 | — | 18 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 129 | 105 | 483 | 245 | 81 | 81 | 88 | 40 | 30 | 104 | 40 | 40 | 137 | 81 | 116 | 136 | 137 | 105 | 483 | 378 |
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.











