Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 4s period, SE swell with 10 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.6m 4s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s take a look at what’s coming up.
To be honest, it’s a pretty bleak start. There’s hardly a wave to be found for the first week or so. The water is a warm 66°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, but that doesn’t help when there’s nothing to surf. We’re looking at a solid 12-day gap with no real surf. The first glimmer of anything comes on the 11th of September, with a small pulse of swell.
The best bet in this whole 16-day window is going to be Paignton (United Kingdom) on Friday afternoon, the 11th of September. It’s not going to be a classic, but it’s the most we’ve got. That afternoon sees the swell bump up to 4ft from the SE, with a short period of 5 seconds, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and weak. The combined energy is only moderate (85), and the wind is blowing straight onshore from the east at 12 mph, which will chop it up. For a beginner spot that’s inconsistent and can get crowded sometimes, this is really just a last resort for a surf. The water temp anomaly is from the first of the month, so we can’t rely on that for the 11th.
Honestly, it’s a tough outlook. The whole run is pretty much a write-off for decent waves. You’d be better off checking the forecasts again in a few days, because it can’t stay this flat forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Tue night, fresh winds from the SW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 6 | S 17 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SE 4 | SE 4 | E 4 | E 4 | WSW 12 | WSW 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:03PM3.83m | 10:24AM3.63m | 10:39PM3.61m | 11:02AM3.43m | 11:20PM3.33m | 11:47AM3.19m | 00:14AM3.02m | 12:49PM2.94m | 1:32AM2.74m | 2:21PM2.80m | 3:26AM2.67m | 4:14PM2.93m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 3:16PM0.02m | 3:38AM0.01m | 3:54PM0.17m | 4:16AM0.24m | 4:36PM0.43m | 5:00AM0.57m | 5:26PM0.77m | 5:55AM0.94m | 6:37PM1.11m | 7:20AM1.24m | 8:31PM1.25m | 9:14AM1.26m | 10:11PM1.03m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | W 9 | SW 6 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | SW 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 7 | W 10 | W 8 | E 4 | SW 4 | — | — |
6 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | S 17 | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 7 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | S 13 | — | SSE 4 | E 4 | — | — |
2 | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | — | — | W 8 | SW 13 | — | — |
1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 7 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | SW 3 | — | WSW 12 | WSW 4 |
— | 4 | 1 | 10 | 70 | 26 | 29 | 24 | 18 | 24 | 15 | — | — | — | — | 9 | 7 | 3 | — | 96 | 27 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 109 | 84 | 296 | 193 | 109 | 104 | 180 | 246 | 130 | 30 | 29 | 40 | 30 | 81 | 81 | 126 | 105 | 30 | 64 | 64 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Devon | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











