
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, E swell with 157 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The surf forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, it’s a pretty grim picture. The entire 16-day window is a flat spell or close to it, with nothing that’s actually worth paddling out for. The numbers show weak, short-period windswell from the east, and the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore for most of it, which just ruins what little bump there is. There’s a long stretch of days with absolutely no swell at all, especially from the 18th of July onwards, with only tiny peaks here and there that never get above 1 ft.
The only spot we’ve got here is Paignton. It’s a beginner-friendly, inconsistent beach break that’s fairly exposed to the east. Through the 14th and 15th of July, we see a little 4 ft to 4 ft easterly windswell, but the period is a short 6 seconds, and the wind is on or cross-on. The water is much warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 68° with a 7° anomaly. But honestly, that’s the only notable thing—the surf quality is poor. The combined energy is weak, ranging from 89 to 145 (weak to moderate), but none of it cleans up. The 19th of July shows a bit more size at 5 ft, but again, same story: short period, onshore wind, and the forecast says "poor surf conditions."
There is no standout. There is no session to get excited about. If you’re a kite surfer, the wind is consistent, but for a paddle surfer, keep the board in the car. The forecasts can change, but right now, this is a long, blank run that’s not unusual for this area when the swell window shuts down.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tue 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | W 8 | W 8 | NNW 2 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 | E 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
100 | 18 | 89 | 145 | 54 | 101 | 68 | 19 | 38 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 148 | 102 | 18 | 42 | 20 | 3 | 1 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:38PM3.87m | 8:08AM3.68m | 8:25PM4.06m | 8:54AM3.77m | 9:09PM4.13m | 9:37AM3.76m | 9:50PM4.09m | 10:18AM3.68m | 10:30PM3.93m | 10:57AM3.53m | 11:07PM3.70m | 11:34AM3.33m | 11:44PM3.41m | 12:11PM3.13m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:06AM0.08m | 1:21PM0.15m | 1:53AM-0.04m | 2:06PM0.10m | 2:37AM-0.06m | 2:49PM0.13m | 3:20AM0.02m | 3:31PM0.26m | 4:02AM0.18m | 4:12PM0.46m | 4:43AM0.42m | 4:55PM0.70m | 5:25AM0.69m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | |
— | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 | 9:14 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 21 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 18 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 5 | SW 7 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | SW 5 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | W 9 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 | — |
2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 38 | 14 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 20 | 3 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | W 10 | S 16 | S 16 | W 9 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 7 | SW 6 | S 13 | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 12 | W 9 | W 8 | W 11 |
6 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | S 14 | W 10 | W 10 | S 13 | — | S 12 | — | S 12 | W 8 | SW 6 | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | W 11 | — |
2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | — | — | SW 2 | — | — | SW 5 | NNW 2 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 5 | ESE 6 | — | — | E 4 |
100 | 18 | 89 | 145 | 54 | 101 | 68 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 148 | 102 | 18 | 42 | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 91 | 87 | 156 | 281 | 105 | 156 | 113 | 87 | 378 | 457 | 486 | 87 | 529 | 81 | 105 | 35 | 170 | 366 | 483 | 477 | 105 |
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.











