Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 1PM.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty. Right, I’ve had a look over the full 16-day run for Paignton and unfortunately, it’s a total dry spell. The finder’s basically flat – no real surf to speak of. The combined swell energy sits at zero for the vast majority of the forecast, and even the few bits that show a tiny wave are still marked as “poor surf conditions.” So let’s be straight: unless you’re happy just sitting on a board with no waves, there’s nothing on offer. The guide says Paignton is a beginner spot, inconsistent, and only fairly exposed – so this kind of flat run isn't a total shock. It won’t be like this forever, but right now it’s as dead as a doornail.
From 29 August all the way through to the morning of 10 September, there’s absolutely zero swell. Combined energy is 0 every session. That’s more than a week of nothing.
On the afternoon of 10 September, a tiny pulse arrives: 4ft SSE swell with a period of just 5 seconds and combined energy hitting only 61. That’s weak, short-period windswell, and the wind is a strong cross-off from the SSW at 25 mph. Still labelled “poor surf conditions.” Not worth a paddle.
Then on Friday morning 11 September, the swell drops to 2ft from the east, 5 second period, combined energy a paltry 11. The wind is offshore from the WSW at 19 mph, so it’d be clean, but the wave is too small and weak. That afternoon it shrinks further to 1ft. Still no good.
After that, from 12 September onward it’s back to zero swell for the rest of the window.
Water temperature anomaly isn’t given in the data, so I can’t say if it’s warmer or cooler than usual. But with no surf, it doesn’t matter anyway.
If you’re a kitesurfer, those days with strong cross-off winds and glassy flat water might look alright, but for a regular surfer? This is a hard pass. The only remotely interesting session is that 10 September afternoon with 4ft, but with a 5-second period and strong wind, it’ll be a messy, weak closeout.
Check back – forecasts can turn – but for now, leave the board in the car.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat morning, light winds from the SW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Mon night, fresh winds from the SW by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 6 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 5 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 10 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 3 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 6 | SW 7 | WSW 3 | SW 6 | S 14 | SW 4 | SW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 8:15AM3.68m | 8:26PM3.97m | 8:47AM3.79m | 8:57PM4.01m | 9:18AM3.82m | 9:29PM3.96m | 9:51AM3.76m | 10:03PM3.83m | 10:24AM3.63m | 10:39PM3.61m | 11:02AM3.43m | 11:20PM3.33m | 11:47AM3.19m | 00:14AM3.02m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:36PM0.15m | 1:58AM-0.04m | 2:08PM0.02m | 2:29AM-0.13m | 2:41PM-0.03m | 3:02AM-0.12m | 3:16PM0.02m | 3:38AM0.01m | 3:54PM0.17m | 4:16AM0.24m | 4:36PM0.43m | 5:00AM0.57m | 5:26PM0.77m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — |
mm | 8 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 8 | — | — | SW 8 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 6 | — | — | S 16 | — | S 15 | SW 7 | S 15 | SW 6 | S 14 | SW 14 | S 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | 95 | 21 | 12 | 6 | — | — | 5 | — | 4 | 39 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 10 | — | — | S 16 | — | — | S 15 | — | S 15 | W 10 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 35 | 10 | 2 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 4 | — | 4 | 2 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 5 | SW 8 | W 4 | W 3 | — | WSW 2 | SW 3 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 6 | W 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 3 | WSW 2 | SW 4 | SW 5 |
| kJ | 213 | 686 | 216 | 60 | 102 | 204 | 9 | 3 | — | 1 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 99 | 96 | 5 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 29 | 66 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 311 | 193 | 64 | 83 | 547 | 163 | 56 | 115 | 29 | 104 | 104 | 84 | 92 | 193 | 349 | 772 | 193 | 265 | 104 | 112 | 142 |
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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