Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 10s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 4AM.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s have a look at what Paignton’s got cooking over the next couple of weeks.
Right now, it’s looking grim. We’ve got a long, dry spell ahead. From the start of the forecast through to the 24th of September, there’s nothing to write home about. It’s flat, or the odd tiny bump that doesn’t even register. The water is sitting at 65°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, but with no waves that’s just a nice temperature for a swim, not a surf.
The first real sniff of action shows up on the morning of the 25th of September. There’s a 7ft swell rolling in from the east, with a period of 7 seconds – short period stuff, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and weak in terms of energy, but the energy reading is 419, so there’s some push behind it. The wind is light and cross-shore from the north, so it might clean up a bit, but it’s a marginal forecast.
The standout window is the afternoon of the 25th. The swell drops a touch to 6ft from the east, period still around 7 seconds, but the combined energy is 286 – moderate wave energy. And here’s the key: the wind swings to a light southwesterly, going cross-offshore. That’s going to tidy things up nicely. For a break like Paignton (a fairly exposed, beginner-friendly spot that’s inconsistent and can get crowded sometimes), this is the best we’re going to see. The swell direction from the east is a good match for what this place needs. This is the one to aim for, but keep in mind a 6ft swell might be a bit much for absolute beginners.
After that, the 26th of September drops off quickly. The swell fades to 3ft to 4ft from the east, energy falls away to under 109, and the wind picks up from the northwest, making things messy. Not worth paddling out for.
So, to sum it up: you’re waiting a long time for a very short window. The afternoon of the 25th is the only real stand-out. Everything else is a write-off. The long, flat run is typical for the area this time of year, but keep an eye on it – things can change.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Mon night, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | SW 8 | W 8 | SW 4 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 3 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | S 12 | WSW 8 | W 11 | W 11 | NW 3 | NW 3 | W 12 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 5 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:48PM4.07m | 8:11AM3.91m | 8:23PM4.11m | 8:43AM3.93m | 8:55PM4.03m | 9:13AM3.85m | 9:25PM3.86m | 9:41AM3.71m | 9:54PM3.63m | 10:08AM3.50m | 10:23PM3.36m | 10:36AM3.27m | 10:53PM3.07m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:17AM-0.10m | 1:30PM-0.01m | 1:52AM-0.15m | 2:05PM-0.05m | 2:25AM-0.10m | 2:38PM0.02m | 2:56AM0.06m | 3:11PM0.18m | 3:27AM0.29m | 3:42PM0.42m | 3:57AM0.57m | 4:14PM0.71m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | SW 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | W 10 | WSW 8 | W 11 | SW 4 | SW 5 | W 8 | W 10 | W 11 | — | SW 6 | SW 5 |
| kJ | 24 | 10 | 84 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 16 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 11 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 15 | W 14 | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | W 13 | — | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | W 8 | — | — | W 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 12 | — | — | — | W 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 2 | WSW 2 | NW 2 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | W 3 | WNW 2 |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 17 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 24 | 5 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 29 | 13 | 40 | 104 | 193 | 251 | 56 | 104 | 13 | 104 | 104 | 82 | 130 | 130 | 29 | 193 | 457 | 246 | 246 | |
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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