Paignton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, listen up, surfers. Rusty here, and I’ve had a proper look at the charts for our local stretch. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it—the next 16 days are a tough watch for anyone wanting to get wet. There’s a real barren spell coming, so let’s break it down.

First thing to note: Paignton is the only game in town, but the swell and wind just aren't playing ball. The water is sitting at a very unusual 66° – that’s a massive 6° warmer than normal for this time of year, which feels weird, but it won’t help the waves.

We’ve got a bit of a pulse starting this Saturday, 11 July, but don’t get excited. Saturday morning sees a 4ft easterly swell with a short, weak 6-second period. The combined energy is only 106 (moderate), and with a cross-on 16 mph breeze from the ENE, it’s choppy and poor. The afternoon drops to 3ft, but it’s still onshore and messy. This stretch is a write-off.

Sunday 12 July actually sees the swell building, hitting 6ft in the morning and 7ft in the afternoon. But that’s where the good news ends. The period is still a wind-swell 7 seconds, and the wind is howling 19-22 mph onshore. The energy jumps to 255 and then 364, which is moderate, but the conditions are lumpy and horrible.

Monday 13 July is the peak of this poor spell. We’re looking at 8ft easterly swell with an 8-second period – combined energy of 742 (still moderate, but pushing strong). The problem? It’s 22 mph cross-on winds again. That’s a messy, blown-out 8ft. For beginners, it’s already too big, and for experts, the wind is making it a battle. Honestly, with those winds and that beach-break setup, this looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Through Tuesday 14 July and Wednesday 15 July, the swell drops away fast. By Tuesday afternoon it's only 3ft, and Wednesday afternoon is a tiny 2ft, though the wind finally swings cross-off from the SSW, giving us a clean window for the first time. But a 2ft, 6-second easterly swell isn’t going to do anything at Paignton.

Then we hit the big gap. From Thursday 16 July all the way through to early Monday 20 July, every single session shows zero swell height and zero energy. That’s a solid four days of nothing. The wind goes offshore and glassy during this time, which is a tease. The ocean is flat, calm, and beautiful, but there is absolutely nothing to surf.

A tiny ripple returns Monday 20 July – a pathetic 1ft swell with a 4-second period and only 7 energy. That’s less than weak. It’s clean in the afternoon with a cross-off breeze, but you’d be lucky to find a 1-foot dribbler. Don’t bother.

From Tuesday 21 July onwards, it’s another dead spell. The wind is offshore a fair bit, which is clean, but the swell stays completely absent. The guidance confirms this break is inconsistent, and this is one of those stretches.

The standout? There isn’t one. Not a single session has a score that would make me recommend paddling out. The only glimmer of something rideable would be the 8ft on Monday 13 July if you were a masochist who loves onshore slop, but for a clean wave? Forget it. This is a long, blank run. It’s normal for the area when the conditions line up like this, but forecasts can change. Keep your eye on it, but for now, wax up the car instead of the board.

Rusty.

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