Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period, ESE swell with 22 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.7m 5s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is a grim stretch. We’re lookin' at a long, dry spell with almost no surf on offer. The first few days are a total write-off. From Tuesday 1st September right through to Saturday 6th, it’s just flat. Not a ripple. Nothin’. You’d be better off polishing your board than staring at the ocean. There’s a bit of a hiccup on Sunday the 6th with some tiny windswell – 2ft from the SE with a short 4-second period – but the onshore wind kills it. It’s poor, no energy to speak of (combined energy of all swells directed here is just 13 to 14). Don’t bother.
The gap drags on. Monday 7th gives us a glassy morning with a 2ft swell, but the period is only 5 seconds and the combined swell energy is a measly 11. It’s weak. After that, we’re back to zero for days. Tuesday 8th right through Saturday 13th September is completely flat again. Nothing. Nada.
Finally, we see something on Sunday 13th, but it’s a 1ft onshored mess – skip it.
The only flicker of life comes in the second week. On Monday 14th September, a bigger pulse arrives: 4ft to 5ft from the E, with a 6-second period. The combined swell energy climbs into moderate territory (103 to 134), but the wind is cross-onshore and onshore, making it choppy and messy. Not clean.
Tuesday 15th sees the swell push up to 5ft from the E, period still at 6 seconds, energy now at 206 – that’s moderate, bordering on strong. The morning has a cross-onshore wind, so it’s gonna be choppy and tough to surf.
Wednesday 16th September is the standout – if you can call it that. Swell hits 6ft from the E, period 7 seconds, and the combined swell energy is up to 263. Still, it’s a choppy, cross-onshore mess for the morning. This setup is more suited for a kite than a paddle, honestly.
So, about the only place to even mention is Paignton. It’s a beginner spot that’s inconsistent, and it’s fairly exposed to swell from the E. The best day in the whole two weeks is probably Tuesday 15th or Wednesday 16th, but even then, the conditions are poor. The waves will be there, but the wind will tear ‘em up. It’s not gonna be pretty.
Water temp? No anomaly data for Paignton in this run, so we’ll call it average for this time of year.
Bottom line: if you’re desperate, keep an eye on the 15th and 16th of September for some chest-to-head-high, onshore slop at Paignton. Otherwise, this stretch is a write-off. The good news is it’s a long season, and these flat runs never last forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu night, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 6 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 8 | WSW 7 | S 13 | S 13 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 4 | WSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 14 | 22 | 11 | 1 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | glassy | on | on | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:51AM3.76m | 10:03PM3.83m | 10:24AM3.63m | 10:39PM3.61m | 11:02AM3.43m | 11:20PM3.33m | 11:47AM3.19m | 00:14AM3.02m | 12:49PM2.94m | 1:32AM2.74m | 2:21PM2.80m | 3:26AM2.67m | 4:14PM2.93m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:16PM0.02m | 3:38AM0.01m | 3:54PM0.17m | 4:16AM0.24m | 4:36PM0.43m | 5:00AM0.57m | 5:26PM0.77m | 5:55AM0.94m | 6:37PM1.11m | 7:20AM1.24m | 8:31PM1.25m | 9:14AM1.26m | 10:11PM1.03m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | W 9 | — | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | SW 15 | S 15 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 8 | WSW 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 | W 10 | W 8 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 4 | WSW 11 |
6 | 2 | — | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 19 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 11 | 1 | 11 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | W 8 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | SW 6 |
2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 16 | 12 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | — |
1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 5 | WNW 3 | WNW 2 | — | — | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | — | — | WNW 2 | W 3 |
— | 4 | 3 | 10 | 56 | 30 | 14 | 23 | 31 | 47 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 13 | 14 | — | — | 1 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 109 | 92 | 496 | 193 | 193 | 104 | 193 | 265 | 246 | 245 | 30 | 40 | 104 | 81 | 87 | 91 | 105 | 30 | 64 | 29 |
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.











