
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 4s period, E swell with 13 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 4s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s 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 | 1AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you on this one. Looking at the full 16-day window, I’ve gotta say it’s a pretty grim picture for getting wet. The finder is coming up empty – no solid recommendations stand out in the whole period. The guidance shows Paignton is the only break the system is tracking, and it’s rated for beginners, but it’s inconsistent and only fairly exposed. The honest truth is, for most of the next two weeks, there’s just no surf to speak of.
The first real sniff of anything comes right at the start, but it’s a bust. Tuesday 4th August has a clean look with clear skies, but there’s simply no swell energy (0). The water is sitting at 66°, which is a wild 5° warmer than average for this time of year – that’s much warmer than normal, which is a weird twist for a flat spell. Wednesday and Thursday whip up a fresh offshore breeze from the WNW and NW, gusting 19 mph, but again, zero swell. It’s like the ocean is taking a holiday.
We then drift through a long, flat gap. Friday 7th through Sunday 9th offer nothing but a light breeze and small wind ripples, with no wave energy. The first tiny pulse shows up on Monday 10th August morning – a pathetic 0.3 ft from the NE with a period of just 4 seconds. The combined energy is a measly 2 (weak). That’s not a surfable wave, just a ripple. The afternoon goes glassy, but still flat.
The following week limps along. Tuesday 11th has a 1 ft cross-onshore mess, energy at 4 (weak). By Wednesday 12th morning, we get a 3 ft easterly swell with a 6-second period, energy hits 64 (weak). That’s the biggest swell of the outlook, but it’s onshore from the E at 19 mph, so it’ll be a blown-out, choppy mess at Paignton. Not recommended for a paddle. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing that day.
After that, it fizzles out. The rest of the period from 13th August onward is a desert. Zero energy, just offshore winds here and there, but no wave to surf. The final record on Wednesday 19th August shows a weak 1.0 ft pulse with 5 seconds period, energy at 5 (weak), and a cross-off wind, but it’s too little, too late.
Overall, this is a blank run. In an area like this, when the break is inconsistent and the swell exposure is only fair, these flat spells are normal. Don’t hold your breath. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d suggest keeping the board in the car and the wax in the wrapper.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the ENE by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 7 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | S 12 | S 12 | W 10 | S 12 | S 11 | W 9 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 12 | NNW 2 | NNE 3 | SW 2 | E 5 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:04PM3.59m | 11:32AM3.35m | 11:44PM3.39m | 12:15PM3.19m | 00:33AM3.16m | 1:11PM3.02m | 1:39AM2.93m | 2:27PM2.90m | 3:14AM2.81m | 4:11PM2.97m | 5:03AM2.93m | 5:39PM3.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:17PM0.37m | 4:43AM0.31m | 5:00PM0.55m | 5:29AM0.54m | 5:52PM0.79m | 6:26AM0.81m | 7:02PM1.03m | 7:46AM1.04m | 8:38PM1.12m | 9:20AM1.06m | 10:08PM0.97m | 10:36AM0.88m | 11:16PM0.67m | |||||||
— | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
8:53 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 18 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 7 | S 13 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 5 | — | W 9 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | — | SW 4 | SW 7 | — | — |
— | — | 29 | 3 | 10 | 5 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | S 12 | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 6 | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | SW 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | — | S 12 | — | S 12 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | — | W 9 | — | E 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 6 | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SW 6 | W 3 | WSW 4 | W 3 | WNW 2 | WSW 3 | NNW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | NNW 2 | NNE 3 | SW 2 | N 2 |
23 | 45 | 5 | 21 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 193 | 246 | 784 | 193 | 176 | 246 | 290 | 250 | 417 | 450 | 441 | 245 | 135 | 87 | 499 | 316 | 156 | 137 | 265 | 252 |
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.











