
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, E swell with 109 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s not sugarcoat it – this is a tough stretch for Paignton. The whole 16-day outlook is basically a blank. No real surf to speak of. The energy is flat, the swell is either missing or tiny, and when something does show up, the wind is usually in the wrong place. This kind of dry spell happens now and then, so don’t lose hope, but right now there’s nothing to get excited about.
The first little blip comes on Tuesday 11th August. We’re looking at a 2ft to 3ft easterly windswell with a period of only 3 to 5 seconds – that’s short and weak. The wind is onshore from the E or ESE at 12 mph, and the combined energy is a paltry 6 to 50. Not worth the walk to the beach.
Wednesday 12th August is similar: a 4ft easterly swell in the morning, period 6 seconds, but the wind is cross-onshore from the ENE at 12 mph, making it choppy. Energy hits 92 – still weak. The afternoon drops to 3ft with onshore wind. No good.
Thursday 13th August morning is the best we’ve got. The swell is 3ft from the ESE, period 6 seconds, and the wind is glassy – light NNE at 3 mph. That’s clean, but the energy is only 40, and the wave comment says “poor surf conditions.” It’s tiny, inconsistent, and only for beginners on a soft top. The afternoon gets a cross-offshore breeze, but the swell drops to 2ft with energy down to 14. Not a standout, but if you’re keen, the morning glass might give you a few knee-high rollers.
From Friday 14th August through Sunday 23rd August, it’s mostly flat or near-flat. A few tiny bumps – 0.3ft to 2ft – show up on the 15th, 16th, and 17th, but the energy is below 30, and the winds are either onshore, cross-on, or glassy with nothing to ride. The afternoon of Monday 17th August has a 2ft easterly swell with a moderate offshore wind from the W at 16 mph – that’s clean, but it’s still tiny, with energy at 29. A micro-session for the dedicated.
Tuesday 18th August sees a 0.7ft easterly swell in the morning with offshore wind, but it’s effectively flat. From the 19th onward, it’s all zeros – no swell, no energy, just clean or glassy conditions with nothing to surf. This carries right through to the 25th of August.
The water temperature is 66°F, which is 4°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s notably warm, so at least you won’t be cold while you’re staring at a flat ocean.
Bottom line: Paignton has no good surf options in this 16-day window. It’s a flat spell, pure and simple. Keep an eye on things – it doesn’t usually stay this poor for long, and forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | SW 6 | W 11 | E 3 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | WSW 10 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | SW 8 | NE 4 | N 3 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | N 3 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 50 | 48 | 92 | 46 | 25 | 31 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:39PM3.25m | 6:17AM3.22m | 6:39PM3.61m | 7:11AM3.51m | 7:27PM3.92m | 7:56AM3.73m | 8:10PM4.12m | 8:36AM3.86m | 8:49PM4.19m | 9:13AM3.88m | 9:25PM4.13m | 9:48AM3.81m | 9:59PM3.96m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:36AM0.88m | 11:16PM0.67m | 11:36AM0.61m | 00:10AM0.35m | 12:25PM0.35m | 00:57AM0.08m | 1:09PM0.14m | 1:39AM-0.09m | 1:50PM0.03m | 2:18AM-0.15m | 2:29PM0.01m | 2:55AM-0.09m | 3:06PM0.10m | 3:30AM0.07m | |||||||
5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 7 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 10 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | W 6 | W 7 | ENE 4 | — |
4 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 31 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | W 5 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | E 4 | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | NE 4 | W 8 | — | W 7 | — |
1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | W 7 |
6 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 6 | — | E 3 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | WSW 3 | — | WNW 3 | WSW 2 | NNW 3 | — | WSW 2 | N 3 | NE 4 | — | N 3 |
— | 10 | — | 6 | 50 | 48 | 92 | 46 | — | — | 3 | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | 6 | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 130 | 129 | 105 | 483 | 245 | 81 | 81 | 89 | 40 | 30 | 150 | 40 | 130 | 280 | 84 | 131 | 137 | 81 | 132 | 135 | 482 |
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.











