Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, SE swell with 54 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period with SE 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 5s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.0m 5s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be honest with you: for Paignton, the next 16 days are lookin’ pretty flat. There’s a real dry spell on the way.
The only little bump we get is right at the start, on Wednesday morning, the 26th of August. There’s a tiny 1ft easterly swell with a period of just 5 seconds. The wave energy is weak (7), and the word is poor surf. Water temps are about 67°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year—over 4° warmer, so that’s worth a note. The wind’s a light cross-shore, not too bad, but the swell just ain’t got the power.
After that, it’s gone. Wednesday afternoon drops to 1ft, and from then on it’s pretty much flat with a side of wind. Thursday morning the 27th shows a 2ft southeasterly swell (41 energy) with clean cross-offshore wind, but the guidance still calls it poor surf. It’s a tease.
From Thursday the 27th on, through August and well into September, it’s all zeros—no swell, just wind. Some of that wind is strong enough to kick up chop, but there’s nothin’ for a surfer. There’s a flicker of 2ft north-easterly swell on Monday the 7th of September with a clean offshore breeze, but at 4 seconds period, it’s just wind slop.
If you’re desperate, Wednesday morning the 26th is your only look, and it’s a beginner’s wave at best. Otherwise, this is a proper flat spell. It won’t stay this way forever, but for now, hang the board up.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Wed morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Sat morning, light winds from the W by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | SE 5 | E 5 | E 4 | SW 4 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SSW 6 | SW 8 | SW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 10 | WSW 10 | SW 6 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 7 | 37 | 54 | 13 | 1 | 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 | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 6:49PM3.35m | 7:11AM3.27m | 7:22PM3.63m | 7:43AM3.50m | 7:54PM3.84m | 8:15AM3.68m | 8:26PM3.97m | 8:47AM3.79m | 8:57PM4.01m | 9:18AM3.82m | 9:29PM3.96m | 9:51AM3.76m | 10:03PM3.83m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:01PM0.85m | 00:27AM0.64m | 12:33PM0.58m | 00:58AM0.36m | 1:05PM0.34m | 1:28AM0.13m | 1:36PM0.15m | 1:58AM-0.04m | 2:08PM0.02m | 2:29AM-0.13m | 2:41PM-0.03m | 3:02AM-0.12m | 3:16PM0.02m | 3:38AM0.01m | |||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 15 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | SSW 4 | SW 7 | SE 5 | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 12 | — | — | — | SW 10 | — | WSW 10 | — | — | SW 5 |
7 | 1 | 2 | 54 | 13 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 55 | — | — | — | 138 | — | 10 | — | — | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | SW 7 | W 8 | SW 5 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 |
6 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | W 9 | S 12 | W 8 | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | — | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 4 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SSW 6 | SW 8 | SW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 5 | SW 5 | W 4 | WSW 10 | SW 6 | SW 4 | SW 4 | — |
— | 7 | 37 | — | 8 | 28 | 25 | 131 | 65 | 352 | 585 | 294 | 129 | 98 | 127 | 9 | 130 | 15 | 24 | 29 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 105 | 278 | 296 | 0 | 138 | 112 | 313 | 180 | 88 | 515 | 193 | 180 | 142 | 227 | 251 | 44 | 64 | 104 | 457 | 193 | 161 |
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.











