Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 4s period, NE swell with 20 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.8m 4s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me level with ya. Honestly, the next couple of weeks are a bit of a write-off for any decent waves here. We've got a long, flat dry spell to get through.
It's looking like a quiet period for Paignton, with nothing really doing for the first 11 days. From the 13th of August right through to the 23rd, it's nearly all flat. You'll see the odd tiny bump, maybe knee-high at best on a couple of mornings, like the 15th with a 1ft swell from the NE, but with a short period and choppy winds, it's not gonna be worth paddling out for. The water temp is sitting at 67°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, but that's about the only highlight.
Then, around the 24th of August, we finally see a pulse of energy. The Monday morning shows a swell picking up to 4ft from the NNE, with a period of 5 seconds and a combined energy of 50 (moderate). While it's a step up in size, the wind is a light cross-onshore and the period is short, so the waves will be messy and crumbly. It's still only a poor surf call.
Even later in the month, the 27th and 28th have some size, with another 4ft pulse from the S on the Thursday, but the wind is howling from the NE at 22 mph, making it lumpy and onshore. The next day is even windier. Kite surfers might find something fun in that, but for a paddle surfer, it's a no-go.
So, in short, leave the board in the car for a while. The forecast can always change, but right now, there's nothing calling me to the water.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the W by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 4 | E 4 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 3 | W 11 | NE 3 | ENE 4 | N 3 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | WSW 3 | S 16 | WSW 4 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | N 3 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:10PM4.12m | 8:36AM3.86m | 8:49PM4.19m | 9:13AM3.88m | 9:25PM4.13m | 9:48AM3.81m | 9:59PM3.96m | 10:20AM3.66m | 10:31PM3.71m | 10:51AM3.45m | 11:01PM3.41m | 11:21AM3.22m | 11:33PM3.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:42PM0.28m | 4:04AM0.31m | 4:17PM0.52m | 4:37AM0.60m | 4:53PM0.82m | ||||||||
5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 30 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 19 | 25 | 27 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 16 |
Feels °C | 24 | 28 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | E 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 10 | — | WSW 4 | WSW 7 | ENE 4 | W 8 | W 8 | ENE 4 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | — | S 16 | — | S 17 | WSW 6 | S 16 | W 5 |
6 | 3 | 2 | 9 | — | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | 5 | — | 6 | 4 | 5 | 1 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | — | — | W 8 | W 10 | SW 8 | — | — | W 7 | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | W 10 | S 15 |
11 | 10 | 10 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | W 11 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 2 | — | — | WSW 3 | — | NE 3 | — | N 3 | NE 4 | — | NNW 3 | NNE 3 | SW 2 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | W 3 | — | SW 3 | N 3 |
— | 1 | — | — | 5 | — | 3 | — | 5 | 11 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 5 | — | 2 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 246 | 30 | 40 | 246 | 137 | 280 | 468 | 150 | 280 | 496 | 547 | 369 | 565 | 297 | 271 | 496 | 280 | 137 | 137 | 84 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Devon | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











