Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period, E swell with 509 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 2.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – if you're looking to paddle out around here, it’s a tough stretch. The forecast is showing a run of poor conditions right through the 16-day window, so don't get your hopes up for any real quality waves.
The first real chance of seeing any swell at Paignton comes on August 24th, Monday morning. We’ve got a 7ft easterly swell pushing in, but it’s got a short period of just 6 seconds, so it’ll be pretty weak and messy. The wind is howling onshore at 22 mph, which is just going to chop it to bits. The combined energy reading is 369 (moderate), but the wind is a killer. The afternoon bumps it up to 8ft and 509 (moderate), but the same onshore wind will ruin it. This is not paddle surfing; this is wind-battered chop.
August 25th, Tuesday, is a bit smaller, with 5ft, but it's still onshore and messy. The combined energy drops to 220 (moderate). The wind is still howling onshore at 16 mph. It’s a no-go.
Then, from August 28th through to September 7th, we’ve got a major gap. For over a week, there will be no rideable waves at all. The combined energy is zero for many days, and the small bumps on September 4th and 5th are tiny, weak, and not worth the effort.
The water temperature right now is 67°F, which is 5°F warmer than normal, so it’s notably warmer than average for the time of year. But that’s the only upside.
The strongest swell shows up on August 24th, but it's a write-off. The rest of the forecast is just blank. When the ocean decides to go flat like this, it's a pretty normal pattern for the area. It’s a waiting game. Forecasts can change, but right now, don’t bother waxing the board.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon night, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Mon morning, calm by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | E 4 | SSE 4 | SW 7 | SW 4 | SW 6 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 7 | 23 | 369 | 509 | 506 | 220 | 95 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 3:26PM2.50m | 4:39AM2.44m | 5:20PM2.72m | 5:54AM2.70m | 6:12PM3.04m | 6:36AM2.99m | 6:49PM3.35m | 7:11AM3.27m | 7:22PM3.63m | 7:43AM3.50m | 7:54PM3.84m | 8:15AM3.68m | 8:26PM3.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:16PM1.49m | 10:35AM1.39m | 11:13PM1.23m | 11:24AM1.13m | 11:53PM0.94m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 13 | SW 9 | SSW 8 | E 5 | E 4 | SSW 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | SSW 8 | SW 9 | SW 7 | SSE 4 | W 11 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 21 | 3 | 134 | 59 | 27 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 13 | SW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | SW 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SW 7 | SW 5 | — | E 4 | — | SSE 4 | W 12 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 12 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 10 | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 | S 13 | — | W 9 | W 9 | SW 7 | — | W 8 | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | — | SSW 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SSW 8 | — | SSE 4 | — | SW 4 | SW 6 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 7 | 23 | 369 | 509 | 506 | 220 | 95 | — | 2 | 4 | 34 | 157 | — | 3 | — | 24 | 109 | 38 | 60 | 25 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 98 | 87 | 482 | 225 | 180 | 105 | 125 | 87 | 91 | 87 | 132 | 96 | 109 | 30 | 30 | 313 | 494 | 524 | 193 | 180 |
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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