Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, E swell with 45 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.9m 5s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s looking like for Paignton over the next couple weeks.
Straight off the bat, I gotta say it – this is a quiet stretch. The whole 16-day forecast shows mostly flat conditions with just a few tiny bumps of energy that aren’t worth getting excited about. From around the 20th of July onward, the swell completely shuts down for a long stretch – over a week of nothing measurable.
Let’s start with Friday the 17th of July afternoon. We’ve got a weak 1ft east swell with a short 5-second period, giving a combined energy of just 8 (weak). The wind is cross-off from the SW at 25 km/h, so the surface looks clean, but that wave height is barely a ripple. Water temp is running at 66°F, which is 6°F warmer than normal – that’s pretty unusual, but the surf just isn’t there to enjoy it.
Saturday the 18th has a slight bump in the morning – 2ft from the NE, but it’s cross-on and the period is a weak 4 seconds. The afternoon drops back to 1ft. Sunday the 19th sees the biggest of the bunch – 3ft east swell at a 5-second period, with combined energy up to 34 (still weak). The wind is onshore in the morning and cross-on by afternoon, so it’ll be choppy and messy.
After Sunday, it’s basically all zeros. Days of flat, clean conditions. The 24th of July Friday morning is glassy – no wind at all – but there’s zero swell. The 25th and 26th have offshore winds, but again, nothing to ride. For a beginner-friendly spot like Paignton, this is a tough run. It’s the kind of flat spell that’s pretty normal for the area during this part of the year.
No standouts here. No secret gems. Just flat water. If you’re really itching, maybe the glassy morning of the 24th of July would be good for a paddle, but don’t hold your breath for waves.
Hang in there – forecasts can always turn. Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 5 | SW 6 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | E 3 | E 5 | E 5 | ESE 4 | W 12 | W 9 | E 4 | E 3 | E 4 | E 4 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | NE 3 | ESE 3 | E 4 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 34 | 34 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:50PM4.09m | 10:18AM3.68m | 10:30PM3.93m | 10:57AM3.53m | 11:07PM3.70m | 11:34AM3.33m | 11:44PM3.41m | 12:11PM3.13m | 00:21AM3.12m | 12:50PM2.93m | 1:02AM2.85m | 1:36PM2.75m | 1:54AM2.63m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:20AM0.02m | 3:31PM0.26m | 4:02AM0.18m | 4:12PM0.46m | 4:43AM0.42m | 4:55PM0.70m | 5:25AM0.69m | 5:40PM0.97m | 6:11AM0.97m | 6:35PM1.23m | 7:11AM1.21m | 7:53PM1.41m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 22 | 21 | 25 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 18 | 24 | 19 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | — | — | ENE 4 | W 8 | W 8 | E 5 | ESE 4 | — | — | E 4 | W 11 | E 4 | E 4 | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | E 4 |
| kJ | 8 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 4 | 34 | 4 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | W 11 | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 8 | E 6 | — | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | W 11 | W 7 | W 12 | — | W 11 | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 |
| kJ | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | NW 2 | NE 4 | — | E 3 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | ESE 3 | — |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | 6 | — | 5 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 901 | 486 | 495 | 529 | 81 | 482 | 135 | 374 | 409 | 483 | 85 | 105 | 680 | 441 | 778 | 280 | 83 | 113 | 529 | 409 |
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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