Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 4s period, NE swell with 21 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.8m 4s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the table for our local stretch.
It’s a grim start, I won’t lie. We’ve got a long, dry gap ahead of us. The first real chance of a surf doesn’t show up until Sunday the 23rd of August. Before that, we are looking at over a week of flat, gutless conditions or tiny, wind-affected slop that’s not worth your time or wax. Patience is the name of the game.
Now, for that one day that’s got a bit of life in it. Sunday the 23rd of August is where you want to be at Paignton. The morning is the pick of the whole 16-day forecast. We’ve got a long period easterly groundswell coming through at 5ft, with a period of 6 seconds. The combined swell energy is moderate (181). The absolute game-changer here is the wind. It’s glassy. Completely glassy. That’s a rare treat and will make the waves clean, clean, clean. Now, the size is solid – not for beginners, but for surfers who can handle a proper 5ft wave. The downside? It’s only inconsistent here at Paignton, so you’ll be waiting for the sets. The afternoon is still surfable but the wind swings cross-off and picks up, so the morning window is your golden ticket.
After that, it’s back to the usual story of tiny waves and strong winds for the rest of the period. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th offer nothing really worth paddling out for.
So, to sum it up: stare at the flatness until the 23rd, then make a beeline for Paignton on Sunday morning for that glassy, 5ft easterly swell. It’s a one-day window, so don’t sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | E 4 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 3 | WSW 5 | NE 4 | NE 4 | N 3 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | E 4 | W 7 | E 5 | WSW 3 | W 7 | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 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-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:56AM3.73m | 8:10PM4.12m | 8:36AM3.86m | 8:49PM4.19m | 9:13AM3.88m | 9:25PM4.13m | 9:48AM3.81m | 9:59PM3.96m | 10:20AM3.66m | 10:31PM3.71m | 10:51AM3.45m | 11:01PM3.41m | 11:21AM3.22m | 11:33PM3.11m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:09PM0.14m | 1:39AM-0.09m | 1:50PM0.03m | 2:18AM-0.15m | 2:29PM0.01m | 2:55AM-0.09m | 3:06PM0.10m | 3:30AM0.07m | 3:42PM0.28m | 4:04AM0.31m | 4:17PM0.52m | 4:37AM0.60m | 4:53PM0.82m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 30 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 19 | 25 | 26 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 16 |
Feels °C | 24 | 28 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 25 | 24 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | E 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 10 | — | WSW 5 | WSW 7 | NE 4 | W 8 | W 8 | ENE 4 | E 4 | — | E 5 | — | WSW 5 | — | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | SW 6 |
| kJ | 9 | 3 | 2 | 9 | — | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 3 | — | 6 | 5 | 5 | 11 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | — | — | W 8 | — | SW 8 | — | N 5 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | WSW 12 |
| kJ | 11 | 10 | 10 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 28 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | — | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | S 16 | — | — | — | — | SW 15 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 9 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 2 | — | — | WSW 3 | — | NE 4 | — | N 3 | NE 4 | — | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | W 7 | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WNW 3 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | 7 | — | 7 | — | 7 | 14 | — | — | — | 5 | 9 | 96 | 21 | 12 | 18 | 30 | 6 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 245 | 29 | 40 | 104 | 40 | 303 | 253 | 245 | 289 | 496 | 487 | 553 | 252 | 193 | 13 | 193 | 245 | 130 | 29 | 29 |
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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