Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 4s period, SE swell with 17 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.7m 4s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight up – this is one of those outlooks where I wish I had better news. Right now, Paignton is looking at a proper flat spell. The entire 16-day window is a write-off for any decent surf. There’s a gap that starts now, the 3rd of September, all the way through until at least midday on the 18th of September – that’s over two weeks of nothing worth paddling out for.
You see a few tiny bumps pop up, like a 2ft swell from the southeast on Sunday the 6th, but it’s short-period, cross-onshore junk with weak combined energy of just 16-21 (moderate wave energy). It’s just messy. Then on the 16th, a little 1ft windswell from the northeast with a period of only 3 seconds shows up – combined energy is a pathetic 2. It’s not even worth getting the board off the rack.
The only legitimate mention of a break here is Paignton itself. It’s a beginner-friendly, fairly exposed spot, but it needs an easterly swell direction to work – and that’s just not happening with any quality. There’s some offshore wind around the 15th, 17th and 18th of September, but with no swell to groom, it’s just clean, flat water. At this time of year the water’s running about 66°, which is a notable 4° warmer than normal – you’d almost feel like you’re in the tropics, if there were any waves.
Consistency is rare here in this stretch, so a blank run like this isn’t totally abnormal for the area. But it tends not to stay this quiet forever – forecasts can change. For now though, there’s nothing to recommend. Keep an eye on the charts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu night, calm by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the W by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 6 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | WSW 7 | SW 7 | S 13 | SE 4 | SE 4 | E 4 | WSW 14 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 14 | 3 | 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-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:20PM3.33m | 11:47AM3.19m | 00:14AM3.02m | 12:49PM2.94m | 1:32AM2.74m | 2:21PM2.80m | 3:26AM2.67m | 4:14PM2.93m | 5:08AM2.91m | 5:33PM3.27m | 6:10AM3.25m | 6:26PM3.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:36PM0.43m | 5:00AM0.57m | 5:26PM0.77m | 5:55AM0.94m | 6:37PM1.11m | 7:20AM1.24m | 8:31PM1.25m | 9:14AM1.26m | 10:11PM1.03m | 10:34AM1.00m | 11:13PM0.68m | 11:29AM0.67m | 00:00AM0.34m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 17 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | S 15 | S 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | WSW 7 | W 12 | SW 7 | W 7 | SE 4 | E 4 | WSW 14 | — | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | 4 | 12 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 3 | 40 | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 14 | W 10 | W 8 | W 11 | S 13 | W 10 | S 13 | W 8 | SSE 4 | — | — | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 14 | W 10 | W 14 | SW 13 | S 13 | W 10 | — | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 2 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 6 | W 3 | WNW 3 | — | SW 7 | — | SE 4 | — | SW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | W 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 6 |
| kJ | 29 | 38 | 41 | 4 | 3 | — | 7 | — | 11 | — | 5 | 5 | 25 | 9 | 25 | 19 | 19 | 24 | 29 | 110 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 180 | 251 | 29 | 245 | 29 | 29 | 104 | 81 | 84 | 92 | 84 | 131 | 193 | 115 | 515 | 246 | 251 | 251 | 109 | 339 |
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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