Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 4s period, NE swell with 16 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 4s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Paignton over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be honest with you, it’s a grim stretch. There’s not a single wave worth paddling out for in the entire 16-day window. The forecast just keeps serving up tiny, weak slop or flat spells.
We start off on Sunday the 19th of July with a pathetic 1ft windswell from the ESE and a period of only 3 seconds – that’s barely a ripple. The combined swell energy is a measly 1, and with a moderate breeze onshore, it’s pure junk. The water temperature is sitting at 68°, which is a whopping 7° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual, but it doesn’t help the surf one bit.
The whole first week is a write-off. Monday and Tuesday offer nothing over 2ft, all with short-period, weak windswell. The energy readings barely break single digits. By Wednesday the 22nd, it goes completely flat (0 combined energy), and stays that way through the weekend. We get a few clean offshore days on the 25th and 26th, but with no swell, it’s just a glassy lake.
Heading into the second week, there’s a tiny flicker of life. On Thursday the 30th, we get a fresh offshore breeze at 19 mph, but still no surf. The first real hint of anything comes on Friday the 31st of July, with a 2ft swell from the east, period of 4 seconds, and a combined energy of 10. The wind is offshore and clean, but the swell is just too small and weak to ride. The same goes for the first few days of August – a few 2ft to 3ft readings, but the period is pathetic at 4-5 seconds, the energy is still low, and the wind is either cross-shore or cross-onshore, making it choppy.
Honestly, there’s no standout here. The best you could hope for is a clean, flat morning to float around on a foamie with the kids. For anyone looking for a proper wave, store the board and wait for the next forecast. Given how inconsistent Paignton is, a blank run like this is pretty normal for the area. Forecasts can change, but right now, there’s nothing to get excited about.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 3 | E 4 | E 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | E 4 | E 4 | E 5 | E 4 | W 10 | W 10 | NNE 3 | NE 4 | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | — | — | WSW 3 | W 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross | on | cross | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:57AM3.53m | 11:07PM3.70m | 11:34AM3.33m | 11:44PM3.41m | 12:11PM3.13m | 00:21AM3.12m | 12:50PM2.93m | 1:02AM2.85m | 1:36PM2.75m | 1:54AM2.63m | 2:38PM2.64m | 3:12AM2.51m | 4:16PM2.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:12PM0.46m | 4:43AM0.42m | 4:55PM0.70m | 5:25AM0.69m | 5:40PM0.97m | 6:11AM0.97m | 6:35PM1.23m | 7:11AM1.21m | 7:53PM1.41m | 8:31AM1.36m | 9:21PM1.44m | 9:49AM1.35m | 10:31PM1.32m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:08 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 17 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 14 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 4 | E 4 | ESE 3 | E 5 | E 4 | E 4 | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | — | W 9 | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | — | — | — | W 9 |
| kJ | — | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 7 | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | E 5 | W 10 | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | W 12 |
| kJ | — | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 10 | — | — | W 11 | W 11 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | — | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — | — | WSW 3 | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | W 2 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 156 | 401 | 409 | 467 | 778 | 460 | 105 | 778 | 321 | 321 | 772 | 321 | 252 | 605 | 105 | 441 | 278 | 494 | 486 | 486 | 890 |
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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