Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, E swell with 225 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s 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 Tuesday (Aug 04) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s be straight with you. I’ve had a proper look at what’s on the cards for Paignton, and to be honest, it’s a tough stretch. The whole 16-day window is a bit of a bust. There’s simply no proper swell on the horizon, with wave energy barely crawling above zero. We’re looking at a long, dry gap with nothing rideable to speak of.
Starting from Wednesday, July 29th, right through the first week of August, it’s flat. There’s no swell to work with. A few tiny bumps pop up on the morning of Friday, August 1st, with a pathetic 0.7 ft NNE windswell bumping along at 3 seconds, but with an onshore easterly wind, it’s a complete write-off. The combined energy is just 1, which says it all. That’s not surf, that’s a ripple.
We get the faintest glimpse of something on Sunday, August 3rd morning, with a 2 ft NE swell, but it’s still weak with a 3-second period and cross-onshore wind, making for messy, choppy conditions. The energy is still tiny at 7.
The best chance, and I use the term loosely, comes on Monday, August 4th. The morning sees a glassy 1 ft easterly windswell, and the afternoon stays glassy with a 1 ft swell from the east at 5 seconds. The energy is still low (8), and the waves will be tiny and weak, but for a complete beginner on a foamie, it might be a place to sit and get wet. It’s not really surf.
Through the second week and beyond, into the middle of August, it’s the same story. Tiny, inconsistent windswell with poor wind directions and low energy (the highest we see is 22 on Monday, August 4th morning, but it’s onshore and messy). Occasionally a bit of offshore wind pops up – like Wednesday, August 13th afternoon with a clean 12 mph offshore from the WNW, but there’s no swell to go with it. It’s a windsurfing or kitesurfing setup at that point, not a paddling one.
So, there are no good surf options in this forecast. For Paignton, a long blank run like this isn't totally unusual, but it’s still a painful wait. Keep your eyes peeled; the forecasts could change, but right now, leave the board in the car.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 11 | SW 3 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 3 | NW 3 | NNE 3 | W 9 | NNW 3 | NE 4 | WSW 3 | N 3 | NE 3 | ENE 4 | SW 9 | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 16 | 56 | 225 | 91 | 35 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:48PM3.53m | 8:09AM3.35m | 8:21PM3.71m | 8:42AM3.47m | 8:54PM3.82m | 9:15AM3.55m | 9:25PM3.86m | 9:47AM3.57m | 9:57PM3.83m | 10:20AM3.55m | 10:29PM3.74m | 10:54AM3.47m | 11:04PM3.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:53PM0.64m | 1:19AM0.50m | 1:26PM0.47m | 1:52AM0.33m | 1:58PM0.34m | 2:23AM0.20m | 2:30PM0.26m | 2:55AM0.12m | 3:03PM0.23m | 3:28AM0.10m | 3:39PM0.26m | 4:04AM0.16m | 4:17PM0.37m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 5 | — | — | — | NE 4 | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | ENE 4 | SW 9 | SW 8 | WSW 9 | E 7 | WSW 8 | E 7 | SW 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 56 | 6 | 91 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 10 | — | W 10 | — | W 9 | — | W 10 | — | SW 4 | — | W 8 | — | — | — | WSW 8 | — | WSW 8 | W 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 7 | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 6 | — | 6 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | WSW 3 | — | SW 3 | NW 3 | NNE 3 | SW 2 | NNW 3 | — | WSW 3 | N 3 | NE 3 | — | — | ENE 4 | E 5 | — | E 7 | — | E 6 |
| kJ | — | 4 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | 4 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 10 | 16 | — | 225 | — | 35 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 105 | 138 | 193 | 137 | 246 | 279 | 129 | 137 | 280 | 137 | 137 | 150 | 135 | 156 | 135 | 87 | 105 | 125 | 551 | 366 | 844 |
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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