
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 6s period, E swell with 26 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, we’re looking at a pretty grim run. The swell machine is just not firing for us. There’s absolutely nothing worth paddling out for at Paignton right now, and that’s going to be the story for a long stretch. We’ve got a massive gap of dead flat conditions from now all the way through the first week of August. From the 31st of July right through to the 7th of August, there’s zero surfable energy – just a lot of clean, flat water with no push behind it. The only thing moving are the wind ripples, and that’s not going to get you anywhere.
We finally see a little bump of life on the 8th of August. Saturday morning brings a tiny 3 ft swell from the east, with a period of 6 seconds. The combined energy is a weak 61, so it’s just a bit of shake. The wind is a gentle cross-onshore, so it’ll be a little choppy. That afternoon cleans up with a cross-offshore breeze, but the swell drops to 2 ft. It’s not great, but it’s the only wave in town.
The best chance we get is looking like the 13th and 14th of August. On Thursday the 13th, we’ve got a 3 ft swell from the east with a 5-second period in the afternoon, and the wind is offshore from the west at 15 mph. That’s clean. The combined energy bumps up to 38. Then on Friday the 14th, the morning shows a 4 ft east swell with a 6-second period, and a cross-offshore breeze. The energy hits 98 – still weak, but that’s the most we’ve got. The afternoon stays offshore and clean with a 3 ft swell. This is the standout. It’s not big, it’s not powerful, but it’s the cleanest and most consistent window we have. The water temperature is sitting at 68°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, by a solid 6°. That’s a treat for the skin, even if the waves aren’t.
After that, it fades back into nothingness. The 15th of August drops off to just 1 ft and weak energy. So, to sum it up: if you’re desperate for a paddle, the 13th and 14th have the best of a very poor lot. Otherwise, it’s a long blank run – not unusual for this spot when the conditions line up like this.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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 | NW 3 | W 10 | W 9 | N 3 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 3 | E 6 | E 6 | E 4 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 3 | SW 6 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 26 | 22 | 2 | 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 | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:54PM3.82m | 9:15AM3.55m | 9:25PM3.86m | 9:47AM3.57m | 9:57PM3.83m | 10:20AM3.55m | 10:29PM3.74m | 10:54AM3.47m | 11:04PM3.59m | 11:32AM3.35m | 11:44PM3.39m | 12:15PM3.19m | 00:33AM3.16m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:23AM0.20m | 2:30PM0.26m | 2:55AM0.12m | 3:03PM0.23m | 3:28AM0.10m | 3:39PM0.26m | 4:04AM0.16m | 4:17PM0.37m | 4:43AM0.31m | 5:00PM0.55m | 5:29AM0.54m | 5:52PM0.79m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
— | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | ENE 4 | SW 8 | E 6 | E 6 | WSW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 7 | — | SW 6 |
— | — | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 26 | 15 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | 5 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 10 | WSW 8 | E 6 | E 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | W 10 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 7 | 22 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 |
2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 3 | — | SW 3 | N 3 | ENE 4 | — | ENE 3 | N 3 | WSW 8 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 7 | — | SW 3 | — |
— | 2 | — | 4 | 1 | 10 | — | 1 | 1 | 26 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 32 | 23 | 63 | 45 | — | 11 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 245 | 245 | 137 | 137 | 135 | 156 | 135 | 81 | 81 | 112 | 98 | 104 | 104 | 89 | 104 | 193 | 115 | 30 | 113 | 578 |
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.











