Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, E swell with 328 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. I’m looking at the charts for the next couple of weeks, and I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a real tough stretch for surf around here. The ocean is just not cooperating, and there’s a long, empty gap staring us in the face.
Let’s start with what little we have. The only spot on the radar is Paignton. It’s a beginner-friendly break, fairly exposed to the east, but it’s inconsistent. On Saturday the 15th of August, we’re looking at a tiny, weak 1ft swell from the northeast with a short, poor period of 4 seconds. The combined energy is a measly 7, so there’s barely any push. The water is a notable 67°, which is 5° warmer than usual for this time of year – much warmer than normal. The wind is light cross-shore, but honestly, it’s just not enough to get excited about.
From Sunday the 16th all the way through to Friday the 21st of August, there is absolutely no surf on offer. Zero. The swell lines are completely flat. It’s a solid week of nothing.
We do get a little bump of energy starting Saturday the 22nd of August. Swell starts to trickle in, but it’s still messy. By Sunday the 23rd, we see a 4ft swell from the east with a period of 7 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 148 – that’s moderate energy. But the wind is a fresh cross-onshore, making it lumpy and poor quality. Still not worth paddling out for.
The end of the month offers a glimmer of hope. On Saturday the 29th of August, the swell picks up to 5ft from the east, with a period of 7 seconds and a combined energy of 247 (moderate energy). That’s the biggest swell in the window. But the wind is onshore from the east at 9 mph, with light rain. It’s a bit of a messy one. It might be too big for beginners, but it’s not quite clean enough for experts.
Sunday the 30th of August keeps some energy at 4ft and 139 energy, but the wind is a fresh cross-onshore, so it’s lumpy again.
The best of a bad bunch is probably that Saturday the 29th of August, but it’s a long way out and the conditions are iffy. For now, the lakes are flat and the sea is a write-off. We’ll keep an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | ENE 3 | SW 5 | — | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | S 16 | WSW 3 | S 17 | S 16 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 5 | SW 5 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | E 4 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 198 | 233 | 153 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 1:38PM2.55m | 2:18AM2.39m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 7:03AM1.52m | 8:30PM1.62m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  | | | |  |  | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 18 | 23 | 25 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 13 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 18 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | ENE 3 | SW 5 | — | — | W 8 | S 16 | — | SW 5 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | SW 5 | SW 5 | WSW 5 | SW 5 | — | E 4 | W 11 | S 15 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | W 8 | S 14 | W 10 | W 10 | S 13 | — | S 15 | W 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 17 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | S 14 | S 13 | — | W 8 | W 11 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | — | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 2 | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WNW 3 | — | NW 3 | — | — | N 2 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 6 |
| kJ | 4 | — | — | — | 7 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 198 | 233 | 153 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 150 | 164 | 316 | 320 | 378 | 193 | 290 | 378 | 280 | 130 | 40 | 193 | 280 | 130 | 170 | 40 | 81 | 129 | 81 | 203 | 98 |
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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