
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 11s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 7AM.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here, looking at the Torbay forecast over the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it's a real tough stretch for us. We're looking at a long, dry spell with basically nothing doing for the first nine days. From the 7th of September right through to the 15th, the combined swell energy is a big fat zero (0), and the guidance is rating it all as poor surf conditions. That's a lot of flat days to sit through.
The first proper sign of life comes in on the 16th of September. Wednesday morning at Paignton, we might see a tiny, weak little pulse come in from the northeast, only 1 foot. The period is a super short 2 seconds, so it's not going to have any push. The combined energy is a measly 1, so it's practically nothing. The wind is a gentle cross-shore, but it's just not enough for a paddle. Wednesday afternoon goes glassy with a 1 foot swell from the east-northeast, but the period is still a poor 3 seconds, and the energy is only 2. It's clean, but tiny.
Things get a little more interesting on the 17th of September. Thursday morning at Paignton, we finally see a 3 feet swell from the east, with a period of 5 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 54, which is weak but a step up. The catch is we have a light cross-onshore wind from the east-northeast, which will put a bit of a bump on it. It's still borderline, but it's the best we've seen in over a week. Thursday afternoon is similar, 3 feet from the east, but the wind swings more easterly and picks up, making it a bit choppy. The water temperature is 66° and is running much warmer than normal for this time of year, which is a nice little bonus if you're having a paddle.
The 18th of September is similar in size, with a 3 feet swell from the east-southeast in the morning, but the wind is a moderate onshore breeze at 16 mph, making it choppy and messy. The afternoon drops off to 2 feet. After that, it fades again, with a few 0.7 feet and 1 foot bumps but nothing worth getting excited about.
There's a slight uptick right at the end of the forecast. On the 21st of September, Monday afternoon, we have a 2 feet swell from the northeast with a 3-second period. The wind is offshore from the west-southwest at 19 mph, so it will be clean, but the swell is just too small and weak (combined energy of 5) to do anything with. The 22nd of September is more of the same, with a tiny 1 foot to 1 feet east swell and clean, fresh offshore winds.
So, the standout on offer? It's a slim pick, but I'd have to say the 17th of September. That's the only day that pushes over 3 feet of swell. Thursday morning at Paignton is the best bet. The 3 feet east swell, with a 5-second period, is weak but rideable. The cross-onshore wind will keep it a bit bumpy, but it's the only window with any real energy. The rest of the 16-day window is a write-off. It's a tough one, but that's the coast for you. Stay optimistic, it can't stay this flat forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the NW by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WNW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 10 | SW 8 | SW 8 | W 15 | W 14 | SW 4 | SW 5 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 4:14PM2.93m | 5:08AM2.91m | 5:33PM3.27m | 6:10AM3.25m | 6:26PM3.63m | 6:56AM3.56m | 7:10PM3.91m | 7:36AM3.78m | 7:48PM4.07m | 8:11AM3.91m | 8:23PM4.11m | 8:43AM3.93m | 8:55PM4.03m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:11PM1.03m | 10:34AM1.00m | 11:13PM0.68m | 11:29AM0.67m | 00:00AM0.34m | 12:13PM0.37m | 00:41AM0.07m | 12:53PM0.13m | 1:17AM-0.10m | 1:30PM-0.01m | 1:52AM-0.15m | 2:05PM-0.05m | 2:25AM-0.10m | |||||||
— | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | |
7:46 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:32 | — | |
mm | — | 10 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 14 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 5 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | — | W 11 | SW 10 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 7 | W 11 | W 10 | SW 5 | W 10 | WSW 6 |
57 | 27 | 40 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 10 | 6 | 5 | — | 2 | 34 | 17 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 4 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 10 | — | — | WNW 9 | — | W 12 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | W 15 | — | — | W 7 | — | W 10 |
— | — | — | 10 | — | — | 16 | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 14 | — | W 10 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 16 | — | 2 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | SW 4 | WNW 2 | WSW 4 | — |
6 | 8 | — | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 14 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 15 | 1 | 8 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 64 | 64 | 29 | 246 | 29 | 29 | 56 | 40 | 122 | 180 | 104 | 29 | 35 | 40 | 92 | 193 | 245 | 29 | 137 | 30 |
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.










