Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period, ENE swell with 24 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.7m 5s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this isn’t going to be a pretty picture. For the next 16 days, Paignton is looking at a real flat spell. The swell is just a whisper, and the waves that do pop up are weak and messy. The water is much warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 67°F with a 6°F positive anomaly, so at least you won’t freeze your toes off while you’re staring at a flat ocean.
The outlook kicks off on Saturday, 18th July, but honestly, it’s a non-starter. We’ve got a 1.0ft easterly windswell with a short, gutless 4-second period. The combined energy is a measly 2 – that’s barely a ripple. The wind is a cross-shore from the south at 9 mph, just adding a bit of chop to the misery. The whole thing is rated as poor surf, and the score is a big fat zero. Nothing to paddle for.
Sunday, 19th July, brings a slight bump up to 2ft, still from the east and still a short 4-5 second period. The energy nudges up to 9 in the morning and 17 in the afternoon, but it’s still tiny and weak. Onshore and cross-shore winds keep it choppy and uninviting. No good.
The rest of the week stays flat. Monday, 20th July, through to Thursday, 23rd July, offers nothing but tiny, half-hearted swells that never reach 2ft, and the wind is all over the place. The combined energy never hits double digits, and the wave comment is consistently “poor surf conditions.” On Friday, 24th July, the swell completely dies. The wind goes glassy in the morning, which is a cruel tease, but there’s zero energy to work with.
From Saturday, 25th July, through to Sunday, 2nd August, we get a long stretch of absolutely no swell. The combined energy is a flat 0 across the board. The wind is offshore and clean for much of that time, which is a great sign for when the swell eventually shows up, but right now, there’s nothing to ride. It’s a blank run of about 8 days with no surfable waves.
There is simply no standout session here. The best of a bad bunch might be the morning of Sunday, 19th July, with a 2ft east swell, but even that is a stretch. The break is fairly exposed to the east which matches the swell direction, but the period is too short and the energy too weak to make anything of it. Paignton is an inconsistent spot, and this run is a classic example of that. For a beginner, you’d struggle to get a foamie ride. If you’re after a paddle, you’d be better off with a flat-water board.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 | W 12 | E 5 | E 4 | E 4 | E 5 | E 4 | W 10 | W 10 | NNE 4 | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 4 | W 8 | W 8 | — |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2 | 1 | 9 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:30PM3.93m | 10:57AM3.53m | 11:07PM3.70m | 11:34AM3.33m | 11:44PM3.41m | 12:11PM3.13m | 00:21AM3.12m | 12:50PM2.93m | 1:02AM2.85m | 1:36PM2.75m | 1:54AM2.63m | 2:38PM2.64m | 3:12AM2.51m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:02AM0.18m | 4:12PM0.46m | 4:43AM0.42m | 4:55PM0.70m | 5:25AM0.69m | 5:40PM0.97m | 6:11AM0.97m | 6:35PM1.23m | 7:11AM1.21m | 7:53PM1.41m | 8:31AM1.36m | 9:21PM1.44m | ||||||||
 |  | |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — |
 | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:09 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 18 |
Feels °C | 21 | 19 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | — | W 8 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 | — | E 5 | E 4 | E 4 | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | 1 | 17 | 4 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 11 | 3 | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 8 | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | E 5 | W 10 | — | — | W 10 | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | — | W 8 | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | — | — | — | — | W 12 | — | W 11 | W 8 | W 7 | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 4 | E 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | — | — | NNE 4 | ENE 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 11 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 529 | 87 | 482 | 401 | 412 | 467 | 687 | 467 | 113 | 135 | 321 | 467 | 280 | 252 | 85 | 490 | 417 | 460 | 831 | 499 |
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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