Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, SE swell with 92 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it for the local Torbay stretch, focusing on Paignton.
Right off the bat, I’ve gotta be honest with you – this 16-day window is a tough one. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with barely a ripple for over a week. The water temp is sitting at 67°, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so at least the paddle won’t be a shock to the system.
We don’t get any proper surf action until Thursday morning, the 27th of August. That’s the standout. We’ve got a 4ft swell from the SE, with a 6-second period. The combined energy is weak at 72, so it’s not going to be pumping, but the wind is a clean cross-off from the SW, which will keep the surface nice. It’s a small, weak wave, and Paignton can be inconsistent, so don’t expect a crowded bank. After that Thursday morning window, it completely flatlines. From Friday the 28th of August all the way through to Tuesday the 8th of September, it’s nothing but zeros. That’s a brutal 12-day gap with no swell to speak of, just clean but empty water. The wind does swing offshore a few times, but there’s simply no wave to ride.
Then we get a tiny flicker of hope on Wednesday the 9th of September. We see a 1ft swell from the north with a 3-second period and a combined energy of just 3 – that’s next to nothing. It’s still a poor surf call. The best chance in that second week lands on Thursday the 10th of September. That morning we get a 4ft NE swell, and by the afternoon it builds to 4ft from the NE, with a 5-second period and combined energy up to 90. The wind is offshore from the WSW, making for clean, open faces. It’s still small and weak, but it’s the only real window of the whole 16 days for a proper paddle. Don’t expect a classic, but if you’re desperate, that’s your moment.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Thu night, near gales from the SSW by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Sat night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | SE 6 | E 5 | E 4 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | SW 10 | SSW 7 | SSW 5 | SW 7 | SW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 5 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 7 | 34 | 72 | 13 | 1 | 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-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 6:49PM3.35m | 7:11AM3.27m | 7:22PM3.63m | 7:43AM3.50m | 7:54PM3.84m | 8:15AM3.68m | 8:26PM3.97m | 8:47AM3.79m | 8:57PM4.01m | 9:18AM3.82m | 9:29PM3.96m | 9:51AM3.76m | 10:03PM3.83m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:27AM0.64m | 12:33PM0.58m | 00:58AM0.36m | 1:05PM0.34m | 1:28AM0.13m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | |  | | | |  |  | | | | |  |  | |
 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 8 | 1 | — | — | 6 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 14 |
Feels °C | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SW 7 | SE 6 | E 5 | E 4 | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | — | SW 11 | — | — | SW 6 | W 8 | SW 5 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 72 | 13 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | 8 | — | 159 | — | — | 18 | 1 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | W 8 | SW 6 | SW 7 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | W 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 7 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | SW 10 | SSW 7 | SSW 5 | SW 7 | W 4 | WSW 10 | WSW 4 | WNW 3 | SW 6 | — |
| kJ | 7 | 34 | 5 | 11 | 28 | 29 | 251 | 63 | 263 | 590 | 441 | 36 | 69 | 207 | 13 | 190 | 17 | 1 | 17 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 475 | 296 | 296 | 138 | 88 | 274 | 180 | 88 | 312 | 193 | 162 | 83 | 231 | 64 | 251 | 193 | 468 | 159 | 180 | 40 |
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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