Paignton Surf Break

Lat Long: 50.43° N 3.56° W

Paignton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 14 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Paignton sea temperature is
19.7° C
4.0° 

Paignton surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Paignton surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, E swell with 282 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.7m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) 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 0.3m 2s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 7AM (Tue 14th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 7s

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 the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, the outlook is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of really poor surf conditions right through the 16-day window. The first proper recommendation doesn’t show up until Wednesday, July 22nd, so there’s a gap of over a week with nothing surfable on offer. The wave energy is weak for the most part, and the winds are just not playing ball.

Paignton is the only spot in the frame, but it’s a real struggle. It’s an inconsistent beginner break, and it’s only fairly exposed to the east swell. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.

From Tuesday, July 14th, right through to Tuesday, July 21st, it’s all poor surf. The winds are mostly cross-onshore, choppy, and the swell is tiny. On Saturday, July 19th, the afternoon goes glassy, but with a swell of just 1ft and a period of 3 seconds, there’s nothing to ride. The combined wave energy is a measly 1 (one).

The first flicker of hope comes on Wednesday, July 22nd. In the afternoon, we get a cross-offshore breeze from the northwest, cleaning things up. The swell picks up to 5ft from the east, with a period of 6 seconds. The combined energy hits 160 (moderate). It’s still described as “surfable but very ordinary,” which is about as good as it gets. The morning of Thursday, July 23rd, has a similar 5ft east swell with a period of 7 seconds and a light cross-shore wind, but it’s still a low score.

The main standout in this bleak period is the afternoon of Wednesday, July 22nd, at Paignton. The 5ft east swell with clean conditions is the best we’ll see. It’s not great, but it’s something. The rest of the forecast is a write-off, with no swell and clean but empty lineups from Friday, July 24th, onward.

So, if you’re desperate, the 22nd is your only real shot. Otherwise, it’s a long wait.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
E
7
1.1
E
6
0.5
E
5
0.9
ENE
5
0.8
E
6
1
E
6
1
E
6
0.7
ENE
5
0.5
ENE
5
0.7
E
6
0.5
E
5
0.2
E
4
0.3
ESE
3
0.4
E
4
0.2
E
4
0.4
NE
3
0.3
E
3
0.7
E
4
1.1
E
6
0.9
ESE
5
0.6
E
4
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
208
97
13
44
41
64
64
26
13
32
12
1
2
6
1
2
1
17
77
47
14
Wind (km/h)
25
ENE
10
ESE
10
NE
25
NE
10
SE
15
NE
25
NE
10
ENE
10
NNE
20
NE
15
SE
5
NW
10
SSE
20
SW
15
NNW
15
N
0
SW
15
ESE
25
ENE
15
ESE
15
N
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
7:17AM3.52m
7:38PM3.87m
8:08AM3.68m
8:25PM4.06m
8:54AM3.77m
9:09PM4.13m
9:37AM3.76m
9:50PM4.09m
10:18AM3.68m
10:30PM3.93m
10:57AM3.53m
11:07PM3.70m
11:34AM3.33m
11:44PM3.41m
Low Tide
12:34PM0.27m
1:06AM0.08m
1:21PM0.15m
1:53AM-0.04m
2:06PM0.10m
2:37AM-0.06m
2:49PM0.13m
3:20AM0.02m
3:31PM0.26m
4:02AM0.18m
4:12PM0.46m
4:43AM0.42m
4:55PM0.70m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:18
5:18
5:20
5:20
5:22
5:22
5:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:21
9:20
9:19
9:17
9:16
9:15
9:15
 mm
Temp °C
23
25
24
24
26
25
21
24
23
24
24
23
22
25
19
22
25
20
19
21
20
Feels °C
20
24
23
21
24
25
18
22
23
21
20
22
19
22
16
20
24
20
15
17
18
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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