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 523 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 7s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 10PM.
| 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. I’ve scanned the charts and the models for the coming weeks, and I gotta be straight with you—it’s a grim stretch for Paignton. The setup is offering next to nothing for a surfer, so let’s get right into it.
Right now, we’re looking at a long, quiet spell. The first bit of any swell we see is on Sunday the 23rd of August, but it’s tiny. We’re talking a weak 1 ft to 2 ft wave from the east-northeast, with a period of barely 3 to 4 seconds. That’s essentially lake chop. The wind is onshore and cross-on, making it a messy, choppy surface. The combined swell energy is a pathetic 1 to 11 (weak). Don’t even bother paddling out for that.
Monday the 24th brings a bit of a pulse, with the swell jumping up to 7 ft to 8 ft from the east, but the period is still a short 7 seconds. The wind is howling onshore at 22 mph, and the combined energy climbs to 380-523 (moderate). But it’s all for nothing—the conditions are poor, blown out, and messy. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a proper paddle session, especially for a beach break.
Tuesday the 25th is more of the same, with a dropping 5 ft to 4 ft east swell, still onshore wind, and poor quality. The energy drops to 98-225 (weak to moderate). Nothing to get excited about. Then from Wednesday the 26th onward, we hit a dead zone. The swell drops to zero or near-zero, and the forecast shows nothing but a long stretch of flat, clean, offshore winds, but no waves to ride.
We’re talking a solid gap from the 26th of August all the way through to the end of the forecast period on the 7th of September. Plenty of glassy mornings and fresh offshore breezes, but not a single wave worth mentioning. The water temperature is sitting at 67°F right now, which is 5°F above normal—much warmer than usual for this time of year, which is a real tease.
So, the honest truth: there’s nothing to recommend. No standout days, no hidden gems. It’s a flat spell that’s pretty normal for this area in the late summer. The forecasts can change, but right now, I’d say hang up the board for a bit and focus on something else. Keep your eyes peeled, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Mon morning, light winds from the ESE by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SSE 3 | SW 8 | SE 4 | SW 9 | WSW 4 | WSW 8 | WSW 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 11 | 31 | 380 | 523 | 461 | 225 | 98 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 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 | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 21 | — | — | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
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 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SW 6 | — | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 9 | — | 113 | 55 | 28 | 79 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 13 | SW 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 8 | E 4 | SW 7 | SW 7 | — | SW 10 | W 11 | SSE 5 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | 3 | 9 | 3 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 10 | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 | S 13 | — | SSW 8 | W 9 | SW 7 | — | — | — | SW 13 | SE 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | 6 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | S 3 | — | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | SSW 7 | — | SSE 3 | — | SW 4 | SW 9 | WSW 4 | WSW 8 | WSW 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 11 | 31 | 380 | 523 | 461 | 225 | 98 | 3 | — | 3 | 4 | 111 | — | 1 | — | 12 | 437 | 62 | 154 | 50 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 98 | 87 | 482 | 278 | 197 | 105 | 207 | 113 | 105 | 171 | 119 | 64 | 84 | 81 | 30 | 29 | 64 | 441 | 495 | 577 |
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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