
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, E swell with 109 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7AM. 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 3s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, I’ve had a look at the run of charts for Paignton, and it’s a bit of a tough one to write home about. The water temp is sitting at 66°, which is much warmer than normal for the time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick suit if you do go in.
The next couple of weeks look mostly flat or just weak with rubbish wind. From Monday 10th through to Saturday 22nd of August, it’s a long dry spell – practically no swell to speak of, mostly under 2 ft, and what’s there is onshore or cross-onshore, with winds often up around 12 to 22 mph. That’s just blown-out, messy conditions, nothing worth paddling out for.
Even on the glassy morning of Thursday 13th, the swell is a tiny 2 ft from the east with a period of 6 seconds, only carrying weak energy (31). It’s just not going to wrap in or offer any push.
Things finally pick up a bit on Sunday 23rd August. That morning there’s a 5 ft east swell with a period of 6 seconds, and combined wave energy hitting a moderate 209. It's cross-shore wind from the north at 9 mph, so it’ll be a little crumbly, but that’s the biggest swell of the whole forecast. Keep in mind, period is short at 6 seconds, so it’ll be a bit fat and sectiony on the bank, better for a bigger board.
Monday 24th then settles back to 2 ft and light offshore from the west-northwest, giving clean, smaller waves for a more mellow session.
All in all, if you’re desperate, the morning of Sunday 23rd is the one to aim for, but keep expectations in check – it’s more of a longboard wave with a bit of bump. The rest is mostly a blank run, which is pretty normal for here when the summer high pressure locks in.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | SW 6 | W 11 | E 3 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | WSW 10 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | SW 8 | NE 4 | N 3 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | N 3 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 50 | 48 | 92 | 46 | 25 | 31 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
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 | 10:36AM0.88m | 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 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 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 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 7 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 10 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | W 6 | W 7 | ENE 4 | — |
4 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 31 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | W 5 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | E 4 | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | NE 4 | W 8 | — | W 7 | — |
1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | W 7 |
6 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 6 | — | E 3 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | WSW 3 | — | WNW 3 | WSW 2 | NNW 3 | — | WSW 2 | N 3 | NE 4 | — | N 3 |
— | 10 | — | 6 | 50 | 48 | 92 | 46 | — | — | 3 | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | 6 | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 130 | 129 | 105 | 483 | 245 | 81 | 81 | 89 | 40 | 30 | 150 | 40 | 130 | 280 | 84 | 131 | 137 | 81 | 132 | 135 | 482 |
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.











