Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, E swell with 130 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The surf forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it.
To be honest, the next couple of weeks look pretty grim for a proper surf. We’re staring down a long, flat spell. The first sign of any real rideable swell doesn't show up until Wednesday morning, the 26th of August. That’s a solid week of nothing before that, so if you’re itching for a wave, you’ll be waiting.
Paignton is the only spot on the cards, and even then, it’s a real struggle. The first worthwhile moment is on Wednesday the 26th, early morning. We’ve got a small, short-period easterly swell pushing in at about 5ft, with a period of only 6 seconds. It’s coming in from the ESE, and the combined energy is moderate (146). The wind is glassy, so the surface will be clean, but the waves will be weak and a bit crumbly. It’s surfable, but it’s very ordinary. Not one to get excited about.
After that, the rest of the run is a write-off. Winds get howling, swells drop off, and we’re back to zeros. The best of the rest is Friday the 28th afternoon, where a 5ft SE swell shows up, but it’s getting hammered by a strong 25 mph WSW wind, making it a messy, blown-out affair. Not for the faint-hearted.
So, if you’re desperate, the Wednesday morning session on the 26th is your only real look. It’s clean, but small and weak. For everyone else, I’d keep the board in the car and wait for the next system to roll in. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a lean spell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | S 17 | S 16 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | W 10 | NE 3 | ENE 4 | N 3 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | S 14 | S 14 | W 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 77 | 130 | 21 | 50 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | cross | off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:26PM2.50m | 4:39AM2.44m | 5:20PM2.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:18AM1.58m | 10:16PM1.49m | 10:35AM1.39m | 11:13PM1.23m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — |
 | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 21 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 16 | S 17 | SW 4 | S 16 | S 15 | W 10 | SW 14 | SW 5 | WSW 6 | ENE 4 | E 4 | W 10 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 88 | 21 | 50 | 22 | 4 | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 8 | W 7 | — | W 10 | S 14 | — | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 8 | SW 5 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 4 | — | 8 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 16 | — | — | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 16 | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | — | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | NW 2 | NE 3 | — | N 3 | E 5 | E 6 | N 3 | NNE 3 | — | NNW 2 | — | SW 2 | W 4 |
| kJ | 9 | 10 | 5 | — | 16 | 13 | 8 | 14 | 1 | 5 | — | 3 | 77 | 130 | 8 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 274 | 193 | 130 | 126 | 193 | 211 | 159 | 159 | 29 | 40 | 150 | 139 | 81 | 113 | 252 | 87 | 156 | 87 | 460 | 553 | 441 |
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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