Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 3s period, N swell with 1 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 3s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 3s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be honest, the outlook for Paignton over the next 16 days is a tough one for surfers. The whole stretch from now through to the 8th of August is a real flat spell. There's nothing to get excited about for most of the period, and I’m talking long gaps of days with no rideable waves at all.
Looking at the first little pulse, Friday the 31st of July, we finally see a tiny bit of life. The afternoon shows a weak 0.7ft swell from the east with a short period of 5 seconds. The combined energy is a paltry 2 (weak energy), so it’s barely a ripple. The wind is cross-offshore from the southwest, keeping the surface clean, but honestly, that’s for a longboard or a foamie if you’re desperate. It’s a beginner-friendly break, but with it being inconsistent, you’ll be waiting a long time between sets.
Fast forward to Wednesday the 5th of August, and we get a similar story in the afternoon. A 1ft southerly swell, again with a short 3-second period. The combined energy is still just 2 (weak energy). Clean conditions with a cross-offshore wind, but again, it’s barely surfable. This is a spot that’s fairly exposed to the east, but the swells we’re seeing are tiny and from the wrong direction.
The last entry on the 8th of August (Saturday morning) shows a 1ft north-northeast swell with a 3-second period and combined energy of 3 (weak energy). The wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-offshore, which will keep it clean, but again, the size and period are just not there.
The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. But for the true standout—if you can call it that—the only window where a surfer might even bother paddling out is the afternoon of the 31st of July or the 5th of August. Both are tiny, weak, and inconsistent. The best of a bad bunch is the 5th of August afternoon, with a slightly cleaner wind and that tiny southerly bump. It’s not a standout in any real sense, just the least poor option.
This is a tough run for Paignton. It’s one of those spells where the forecast can change, but for now, I’d keep the board in the car and the wax in the bag.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | S 13 | NNW 2 | S 12 | W 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | W 3 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 3 | W 6 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 8 | SW 3 | N 2 | W 10 | W 10 | — |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 2:38PM2.64m | 3:12AM2.51m | 4:16PM2.64m | 5:04AM2.57m | 5:43PM2.81m | 6:13AM2.76m | 6:34PM3.06m | 6:57AM2.98m | 7:13PM3.31m | 7:35AM3.18m | 7:48PM3.53m | 8:09AM3.35m | 8:21PM3.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:31AM1.36m | 9:21PM1.44m | 9:49AM1.35m | 10:31PM1.32m | 10:50AM1.22m | 11:24PM1.14m | 11:37AM1.04m | 00:07AM0.92m | 12:17PM0.84m | 00:45AM0.70m | 12:53PM0.64m | 1:19AM0.50m | 1:26PM0.47m | 1:52AM0.33m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:01 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 26 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 18 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 8 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | W 8 | — | SW 5 | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | W 10 | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 10 | — | W 6 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 2 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 13 | — | S 12 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | W 7 | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 2 | — | W 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | W 3 | NW 2 | — | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | N 2 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 515 | 780 | 499 | 779 | 367 | 130 | 441 | 193 | 40 | 104 | 150 | 89 | 119 | 137 | 87 | 137 | 137 | 87 | 126 | 193 | 433 |
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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