Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 3s period, NNE swell with 6 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.5m 3s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 4AM. 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 3s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you. I've scanned the charts right through to the end of the month and the story for Paignton is a tough one. We're looking at a good, long stretch of nothing to get excited about.
Right from the start, Saturday 15th August, the waves are tiny. We're talking knee-high dribble at best, with a 1 ft NE swell and a period of only 3 seconds. The energy is very weak (3). The wind on Saturday afternoon goes glassy but there's just no swell to work with. It’s poor.
Sunday 16th August is more of the same. The swell pushes 1 ft again with a 4-second period, but the wind is either cross-onshore or cross-offshore. It’s not strong enough to blow out the tiny bumps, but it’s not going to help either. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
From Monday 17th right through to Sunday 30th, it’s a dry spell. There’s simply no measurable swell at all (the combined energy is 0). We’ve got some clean offshore days in there, especially on the 18th and 19th with moderate to fresh offshores, but with zero waves, it’s just flat. If you’re a kiter, those 19 mph offshores on the 19th and 20th might look alright. But for a surfer, there's nothing to ride.
So, the outlook is grim. No standouts, no best days. This is a blank run, which can happen here. It won’t stay poor forever, and the charts can change, but for now, don’t bother waxing up for Paignton.
Stay patient,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Mon night, fresh winds from the WNW by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 3 | NE 4 | N 3 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 5 | S 16 | WSW 3 | S 17 | S 16 | WSW 3 | W 3 | S 15 | WSW 4 | W 3 | WSW 6 | S 13 | S 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 11:54AM2.97m | 00:10AM2.82m | 12:36PM2.74m | 00:59AM2.56m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:12AM0.92m | 5:32PM1.13m | 5:53AM1.24m | 6:26PM1.44m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 18 | 23 | 25 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 17 |
Feels °C | 19 | 23 | 13 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 24 | 24 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 7 | ENE 4 | W 8 | W 7 | ENE 4 | — | — | — | W 7 | S 16 | — | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | W 10 | S 14 | W 10 | WSW 6 | S 13 | SW 5 |
| kJ | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WSW 7 | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | W 9 | S 16 | — | W 7 | S 16 | — | W 10 | S 15 | — | S 14 | W 10 | — | W 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 17 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | 1 | 5 | — | 2 | 4 | — | 4 | 2 | — | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | WSW 7 | N 3 | NE 4 | — | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 5 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | W 2 | WSW 3 | W 3 | W 3 | WSW 4 | W 3 | — | SW 3 | NNW 3 |
| kJ | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | 10 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 5 | — | 3 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 468 | 153 | 137 | 135 | 496 | 313 | 378 | 193 | 193 | 378 | 290 | 279 | 246 | 246 | 298 | 246 | 193 | 116 | 40 | 137 | 88 |
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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