Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period, ESE swell with 22 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.7m 5s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, it’s your man Rusty here. I’ve had a proper look at the next 16 days for our stretch of coast, and I’ll be straight with you—it’s a tough one. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with hardly any surf to get excited about. The good news is there are a couple of tiny windows, but you’ll need to be patient and manage your expectations.
First up, the overall pattern: there’s simply no swell for most of the period. The first real sniff of anything rideable doesn’t show up until around Sunday the 6th of September. Before that, it’s all flat and poor conditions, with cross-offshore breezes and zero wave energy making it a total write-off for the first week. The water temp is sitting at 66°F, which is 4° warmer than usual for this time of year, so it’s notably warm, but that’s small comfort when there’s no surf.
The only spot in the book is Paignton. It’s a beginner-friendly, fairly exposed beach break, but it’s also inconsistent, so it rarely fires. The standout—if you can call it that—comes on Sunday 6th September. In the morning, we’ve got some weak swell from the southeast at 2ft with a period of just 4 seconds. That’s short period, windswell stuff, not much power behind it, and the combined energy is a paltry 14 (weak). The wind is a gentle cross-onshore from the ESE at 9 mph, so it’ll be a bit choppy. The afternoon sees a tiny bump to 2ft from the SE, same short period (4 seconds), energy at 21, and still that onshore flow. It’s not great, but it’s the only real chance to get wet. For beginners, it’s small enough to be fine.
After that, we get a few faint pulses. Monday 7th September morning has an even smaller 1.0ft from the east with a 5-second period, but the wind shifts offshore from the WNW at 6 mph, so it’ll be clean. The afternoon is only 0.7ft from the east, 4-second period, with offshore wind at 12 mph. Honestly, these are barely rideable, but if you’re desperate, the clean conditions might give you something to push around on.
Then from Tuesday 8th September right through to Wednesday 16th September, it’s a total flat spell. The guidance shows no swell at all, just “poor surf conditions” day after day. The wind stays mostly offshore or cross-offshore, so the sea surface will be clean, but there’s simply no wave energy—combined energy reads 0 every time. You’ll be looking at a glassy or rippled ocean with no surf. The last day, Wednesday 16th, does show a tiny 1.0ft from the north-northeast with a 3-second period and 2 energy, but it’s too small to matter.
So, the best on offer? It has to be that Sunday 6th September, with the afternoon session at Paignton giving you the biggest (if you can call 2ft big) and most consistent (relatively speaking) swell of the whole forecast. The wind isn’t ideal, but it’s not a total blowout. For beginners, it’s a safe window. For everyone else, set the alarm for the 6th and don’t hold your breath for anything else.
That’s the lot. The forecast can always change, but as it stands, we’ve got a long stretch of flat water ahead.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SW by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 6 | SW 3 | SW 6 | S 16 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 5 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SE 4 | SE 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 4 | WSW 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:03PM3.83m | 10:24AM3.63m | 10:39PM3.61m | 11:02AM3.43m | 11:20PM3.33m | 11:47AM3.19m | 00:14AM3.02m | 12:49PM2.94m | 1:32AM2.74m | 2:21PM2.80m | 3:26AM2.67m | 4:14PM2.93m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 3:16PM0.02m | 3:38AM0.01m | 3:54PM0.17m | 4:16AM0.24m | 4:36PM0.43m | 5:00AM0.57m | 5:26PM0.77m | 5:55AM0.94m | 6:37PM1.11m | 7:20AM1.24m | 8:31PM1.25m | 9:14AM1.26m | 10:11PM1.03m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | W 9 | — | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | SW 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 4 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 7 | W 10 | W 8 | E 5 | E 5 | WSW 11 | — |
6 | 2 | — | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 4 | 24 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | S 13 | S 12 | W 8 | WSW 12 | E 4 | — |
2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 28 | 1 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | — | — | W 9 | SW 5 | — | — |
1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | SW 6 | SW 3 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 5 | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 4 |
— | 4 | 5 | 4 | 51 | 30 | 29 | 34 | 17 | 26 | 15 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 21 | — | — | 3 | 14 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 138 | 92 | 193 | 499 | 109 | 104 | 296 | 180 | 109 | 29 | 30 | 40 | 127 | 81 | 91 | 119 | 82 | 40 | 115 | 29 |
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.











