
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 4s period, SE swell with 7 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.5m 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let me tell you, Paignton is looking flat for a long while. Over the next 16 days, there’s hardly any surf to speak of. We’ve got a big dry spell from the start, with the first real sign of life not showing up until September 14th.
The water is sitting at 65°F, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, but that’s the only highlight.
From the 5th right through the 13th, it’s all poor conditions with zero wave energy. You’ll see some clean offshore winds, especially on the 7th and 8th, but with no swell, it’s just a calm ocean. The morning of the 14th brings a tiny 0.8ft swell from the ESE at a short 5 seconds, but with cross-shore wind and a combined energy of only (24). That’s weak. The afternoon is a little better with 0.9ft from the same direction, but still poor.
The best you’ll get is Tuesday the 15th. The morning is glassy – a rare treat – with a light 0.9ft E swell at 5 seconds. The combined energy is still weak (46), but that mirror-flat surface will make it look clean. The afternoon holds 0.8ft with a light offshore wind. It’s not going to be pumping, but for a beginner-friendly spot like Paignton, it’s your only real shot at a fun little knee-high wave. Thursday the 17th is a dud, and by the 18th it’s back to zero.
So, if you’re keen, hit the water on the 15th. Otherwise, this is one of those blank runs that happens here. Forecasts can change, but right now the ocean is taking a long break.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the WSW by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SW by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | S 13 | S 13 | SE 3 | SE 4 | E 4 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 3 | W 10 | WSW 7 | W 10 | WSW 7 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | WSW 10 | W 3 | SW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 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 | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 6:56AM3.56m | 7:10PM3.91m | 7:36AM3.78m | 7:48PM4.07m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:13PM0.37m | 00:41AM0.07m | 12:53PM0.13m | 1:17AM-0.10m | ||||||||
6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 7 | W 12 | SW 7 | W 7 | SE 4 | E 4 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 6 | — | W 10 | WSW 7 | W 10 | WSW 7 | W 12 | — | SSW 5 | WSW 10 | W 10 | SW 8 |
5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 40 | 56 | 27 | 11 | — | 8 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 3 | — | 21 | 10 | 7 | 16 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | S 13 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | WSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | — | — | — |
2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | — | S 13 | — | — | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | — | — | — |
4 | — | 3 | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 2 | — | SE 3 | — | — | WSW 2 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | — | SW 3 | W 3 | NW 3 | WSW 3 | — | SW 4 | SW 5 | WSW 2 | WSW 3 | W 3 | NW 3 |
— | 2 | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | 11 | 11 | — | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | — | 39 | 96 | 1 | 8 | 10 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 29 | 88 | 29 | 126 | 138 | 104 | 246 | 246 | 163 | 29 | 245 | 159 | 29 | 193 | 193 | 349 | 193 | 303 | 246 | 246 | 29 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Devon | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










