Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 4s period, ESE swell with 3 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.3m 4s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough start. For the first week and a half, from Monday 20 July right through to the morning of Saturday 1 August, there’s just nothing doing. A long, flat spell with hardly a ripple. The water’s sitting at a very unusual 67°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s small comfort when there’s no surf. We’re looking at a solid 11-day gap with no real waves to speak of. A few tiny onshore bumps here and there, but nothing worth paddling out for.
The first real sign of life shows up on the afternoon of Saturday 1 August. A pulse of 7ft swell from the ENE starts to push in, with a period of 7 seconds. That’s a short period swell, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and disorganised, but the combined energy is a solid 456 (moderate wave energy). The wind is light and swinging cross-off from the SSW, keeping things clean. Paignton is a beginner spot and fairly exposed to the east, so this is the standout window. The swell direction is bang on for what the spot likes. It’s not huge, but it’s the only real surf on the board, and it’ll be rideable for most. Just be aware it’s inconsistent here, and crowds are possible.
Sunday 2 August still has some leftover energy, with a 3ft swell from the east in the morning, but the period is only 6 seconds and the combined energy drops to 76 (weak). The wind is offshore from the WSW at 16 mph, which is clean, but the waves are pretty ordinary. The afternoon drops off further to 2ft. By Monday 3 August it’s flat again, and the rest of the forecast looks like a return to nothing.
So, the only real highlight is that Saturday afternoon session on 1 August. It’s not a world-class day, but after a long flat spell, it’ll feel like a gift. Get on it while it lasts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 2 | W 9 | E 4 | W 8 | E 5 | E 4 | NNE 3 | — | — | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | W 8 | S 13 | W 8 | — | W 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 5 | W 3 | WSW 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 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 | on | cross | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:16PM2.64m | 5:04AM2.57m | 5:43PM2.81m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:49AM1.35m | 10:31PM1.32m | 10:50AM1.22m | 11:24PM1.14m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | E 4 | — | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | — | W 9 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | — | W 8 | — | — | — | W 10 | WSW 5 | SW 4 | WSW 6 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 9 | — | W 8 | W 10 | — | W 10 | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | W 7 | W 8 |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 11 | W 8 | W 7 | W 10 | — | — | — | S 14 | — | — | W 8 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 2 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | NW 3 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 156 | 712 | 252 | 87 | 135 | 258 | 482 | 494 | 98 | 105 | 568 | 441 | 515 | 779 | 570 | 486 | 777 | 131 | 707 | 130 | 107 |
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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