Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, E swell with 75 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m 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 1.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I’ve taken a good hard look at what’s coming up for Paignton over the next couple of weeks, and I gotta tell you, it’s a tough one. The opening of this forecast window gives us next to nothing to get excited about. We're looking at a long, dry spell with basically no swell to speak of from Tuesday the 18th all the way through until Friday the 21st. That’s a few days of flatness, just staring at a lake.
We finally see a few pulses of energy trying to sneak in around Friday the 21st morning, but it’s desperate stuff – a tiny 2ft swell from the NE with a shockingly short period of just 4 seconds. The combined energy is a measly 11, and the wind is a messy cross-onshore. Not worth paddling out for. Saturday the 22nd is the only day that even nudges into 'surfable' territory. The afternoon shows a 3ft swell from the east with a period of 6 seconds and, crucially, glassy conditions. The combined energy of all swells is still modest at 75, so you’re looking at small, clean, weak waves. It’s not going to win any awards, but if you’re desperate for a splash on a foamie, that glassy window might give you the only clean little waves of the whole run. That is the only real standout, and it’s a very small one.
The rest of the forecast is a wasteland. More tiny lumps, onshore winds, and periods below 6 seconds. Right at the tail end, Wednesday the 2nd of September shows a 3ft south swell with a 4-second period and offshore wind, but the energy is still weak at 28, and the quality is described as poor. Considering the water temp is sitting at 67°F which is much warmer than normal for the time of year, the only real highlight is that you won’t need a thick wetsuit while you’re sitting there waiting for a wave that never comes.
If this was a beach break with more power, you could talk about kiting, but honestly, for a paddle surfer, this is a blank run. It’s a poor stretch of conditions, and for this area, that’s more normal than not. Keep the board in the car, but don’t hold your breath.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | S 17 | S 16 | SW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 10 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 3 | ENE 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | S 14 | SW 3 | SSW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 53 | 75 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 10:51AM3.45m | 11:01PM3.41m | 11:21AM3.22m | 11:33PM3.11m | 11:54AM2.97m | 00:10AM2.82m | 12:36PM2.74m | 00:59AM2.56m | 1:38PM2.55m | 2:18AM2.39m | 3:26PM2.50m | 4:39AM2.44m | 5:20PM2.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:17PM0.52m | 4:37AM0.60m | 4:53PM0.82m | 5:12AM0.92m | 5:32PM1.13m | 5:53AM1.24m | 6:26PM1.44m | 7:03AM1.52m | 8:30PM1.62m | 9:18AM1.58m | 10:16PM1.49m | 10:35AM1.39m | 11:13PM1.23m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — |
 | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 16 | S 17 | W 7 | S 16 | S 15 | W 10 | SW 14 | SW 5 | WSW 6 | SW 8 | SW 5 | S 15 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | S 14 | S 14 | — |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 75 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 4 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 8 | S 16 | — | W 10 | S 14 | — | WSW 10 | W 10 | S 13 | S 16 | W 10 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | — | — | — | SW 13 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | 2 | 4 | — | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | W 10 | S 13 | — | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | S 14 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 2 | SW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 2 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 3 | ENE 5 | — | N 3 | NNE 3 | — | NNW 2 | — | SW 3 | SSW 5 |
| kJ | 9 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 53 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 4 | 117 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 274 | 486 | 130 | 136 | 246 | 193 | 159 | 159 | 29 | 84 | 137 | 81 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 171 | 135 | 156 | 156 | 122 | 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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