
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 12 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, E swell with 270 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 6s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.7m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get straight into it. It's a tough one for Paignton. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim, so don't get your hopes up for a paddle.
Right off the bat, from now through to the 19th of July, the models are showing no decent surf. We're talking a solid two-week gap with nothing rideable. The first flicker of life doesn't show up until the 9th of July, and even then it's a no-go.
We finally see some swell arrive on the morning of Thursday the 10th of July. We get an easterly swell pushing 5 ft with a short period of 6 seconds, but the wind is a messy cross-onshore from the NE at 16 mph. The combined energy is moderate (153), but with that wind, it's just choppy and poor. That theme continues right through to the end of the forecast. The swell sticks around, peaking around 5 ft to 6 ft on the 12th, 13th, and 16th of July, but the wind stays onshore or cross-onshore the entire time. We see a fresh breeze from the NE at 25 mph on the morning of the 13th (combined energy of 290), making for a strong cross-onshore and messy mess. It's not surfable, just a washing machine.
Even towards the end of the run, on the 20th of July, the morning is clean with a light cross-shore, but there's no swell to speak of, so you're just looking at flat, clean water.
Look, with that much onshore wind and a consistent east-northeasterly swell, a beach break like Paignton is going to be blown out and bumpy. For a kite surfer, those conditions might be interesting, but for us paddle surfers, there's nothing to chase here. The water temperature is a very unusual 64°F on the 5th, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, but that's small comfort when the waves are junk.
Hang in there. The forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | S 12 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | E 3 | ENE 3 | E 4 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 18 | 153 | 80 | 105 | 171 | 149 | 119 | 233 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:57PM3.53m | 11:26AM3.23m | 11:35PM3.44m | 12:07PM3.17m | 00:17AM3.32m | 12:54PM3.11m | 1:07AM3.19m | 1:49PM3.05m | 2:09AM3.08m | 2:57PM3.04m | 3:28AM3.02m | 4:20PM3.12m | 4:59AM3.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:30AM0.45m | 4:41PM0.66m | 5:13AM0.53m | 5:28PM0.79m | 6:04AM0.65m | 6:27PM0.93m | 7:08AM0.78m | 7:42PM1.02m | 8:24AM0.85m | 9:05PM0.97m | 9:40AM0.79m | 10:18PM0.79m | 10:46AM0.64m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:15 | |
— | 9:27 | — | — | 9:27 | — | — | 9:25 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | 9:22 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 21 | 26 | 27 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 26 | 21 | 27 |
Feels °C | 24 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 27 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 25 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | SW 4 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | E 5 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | — |
57 | 1 | 2 | 6 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | — |
— | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | 18 | 2 | 2 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | WSW 2 | — | — | — | E 3 | ENE 3 | E 4 | — | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 |
3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 15 | — | 153 | 80 | 105 | 171 | 149 | 119 | 233 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 170 | 104 | 137 | 137 | 105 | 137 | 137 | 81 | 81 | 129 | 98 | 129 | 137 | 81 | 84 | 81 | 81 | 126 | 81 | 13 | 499 |
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.











