Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, E swell with 131 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s 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 1.2m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. And I gotta be straight with ya – the next couple of weeks are gonna test the patience of any surfer in this neck of the woods. We're looking at a real long, quiet stretch where you can pretty much leave the board in the shed. There's a big gap of nothing, but let's walk through it day by day.
We start off with a proper flat spell. From Wednesday the 5th of August all the way through to Monday the 10th, there's simply zero swell. It's a dead ocean, not a ripple worth paddling for. The water temp is sitting at 67°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, but that's about the only thing pumpin'.
The first sign of life doesn't show up until Tuesday the 11th, but even then it's barely a whisper. Tuesday morning brings a tiny 3ft swell from the ENE with a poor period of just 4 seconds and weak energy (19). Onshore winds make it a write-off. Tuesday afternoon is a bit better with a 3ft swell from the east, a 5-second period, and a touch more energy (45), but still ordinary.
Now, Wednesday the 12th of August is your one and only shot in this entire outlook. That morning, Paignton sees a 4ft east swell with a 7-second period and moderate energy (104). The wind is dead calm – glassy as a lake. That's the standout. It won't be firing barrels, but for a beginner spot like this, with clean, glassy conditions and a bit of push, it's the best you're gonna get. Keep in mind, though, that Paignton is inconsistent and only fairly exposed to the east, so don't expect a pumping session.
From Wednesday afternoon onward, it's back to square one. A tiny 3ft swell with 41 energy in the arvo, then Thursday the 13th drops to 1ft (9 energy), and by Friday the 14th we're back to zero. After that, the entire second week – from the 14th all the way to Thursday the 20th – is completely flat. Nothing. Nada. A solid week of no waves at all.
So, to wrap it up: you've got one morning to look forward to – Wednesday the 12th of August, early, for a glassy but small beginner-friendly wave. The rest is a washout. It's a tough run, but that's how it goes sometimes around here.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the N by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 3 | S 12 | W 10 | S 12 | N 3 | W 9 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | N 3 | W 9 | SW 2 | WSW 7 | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 5 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 45 | 18 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 11:44PM3.39m | 12:15PM3.19m | 00:33AM3.16m | 1:11PM3.02m | 1:39AM2.93m | 2:27PM2.90m | 3:14AM2.81m | 4:11PM2.97m | 5:03AM2.93m | 5:39PM3.25m | 6:17AM3.22m | 6:39PM3.61m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:00PM0.55m | 5:29AM0.54m | 5:52PM0.79m | 6:26AM0.81m | 7:02PM1.03m | 7:46AM1.04m | 8:38PM1.12m | 9:20AM1.06m | 10:08PM0.97m | 10:36AM0.88m | 11:16PM0.67m | 11:36AM0.61m | 00:10AM0.35m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 25 | 27 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 17 | 23 | 27 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | SW 5 | SW 5 | W 9 | SW 4 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | — | SW 7 | — | — | SW 6 | SW 6 | W 7 | W 6 |
| kJ | 3 | 6 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 10 | SW 12 | — | W 10 | S 12 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | SW 7 | — | WSW 7 | W 10 | W 10 | W 12 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 6 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | 9 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 12 | — | S 12 | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | — | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 6 | — | 5 | 2 | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | W 3 | — | WSW 3 | NW 2 | — | SW 3 | N 3 | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | — | SW 2 | NNW 2 | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 5 |
| kJ | 51 | 5 | — | 7 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 19 | 45 | 18 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 246 | 245 | 156 | 513 | 267 | 417 | 450 | 441 | 156 | 156 | 135 | 135 | 156 | 156 | 290 | 137 | 135 | 103 | 169 | 85 |
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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