
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, E swell with 181 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 05) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Right then, I’m Rusty. Let’s be straight with you: if you’re looking for waves at Paignton over this forecast period, you’re going to be waiting a long while. There’s a big, empty gap at the start – from the beginning right through until Wednesday the 9th of July, there’s just nothing. Zero energy. It’s a flat spell, and that’s unusual for a fairly exposed spot like this, but it happens.
Thursday the 10th of July morning is the first time we see a pulse, with a weak 4ft swell from the east, period around 7 seconds and only moderate combined energy (148). Problem is, the wind is a moderate cross-onshore from the ENE, chopping it up. The water temperature here is 64°, which is much warmer than normal for the time of year – that 5° anomaly is notable, like the sea’s running a fever. Still, the surf quality is poor.
The only half-chance comes Monday the 13th of July afternoon. Swell height reaches 4ft from the ENE with a period of 7 seconds and combined energy at a moderate 315. But again, the wind is a light cross-onshore from the SE, leaving the waves small, lumpy and with a marginal tide condition. That’s the best on offer, and it’s not great. For a beginner spot like Paignton, anything over 5ft is too much, so the 5ft on Monday morning with a fresh cross-onshore is just a messy, blown-out no-go.
Honestly, from the 14th of July onwards it’s a mix of small, wind-affected junk or flat spells. There’s a run of offshore winds late in the period, from the 17th to the 20th, but with no swell to work with, it’s all show and no go. The setup here is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on those blustery days. A blank run like this is more normal for an area that can be inconsistent, but forecasts can change – don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | SW 3 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | S 12 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | ENE 6 | E 5 | N 3 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 39 | 50 | 148 | 52 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 5 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 10:48AM3.27m | 10:57PM3.53m | 11:26AM3.23m | 11:35PM3.44m | 12:07PM3.17m | 00:17AM3.32m | 12:54PM3.11m | 1:07AM3.19m | 1:49PM3.05m | 2:09AM3.08m | 2:57PM3.04m | 3:28AM3.02m | 4:20PM3.12m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:00PM0.56m | 4:30AM0.45m | 4:41PM0.66m | 5:13AM0.53m | 5:28PM0.79m | 6:04AM0.65m | 6:27PM0.93m | 7:08AM0.78m | 7:42PM1.02m | 8:24AM0.85m | 9:05PM0.97m | 9:40AM0.79m | 10:18PM0.79m | ||||||||
5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:27 | — | — | 9:27 | — | — | 9:25 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 29 | 24 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 28 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | W 10 | SW 4 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | E 6 | E 5 | ENE 6 | E 5 | E 5 |
2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 52 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 |
2 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | WSW 2 | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | — | — | — | SW 2 | N 3 |
— | 4 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 19 | 39 | 50 | 148 | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 104 | 109 | 89 | 137 | 137 | 98 | 137 | 156 | 81 | 81 | 129 | 81 | 81 | 81 | 56 | 81 | 84 | 81 | 126 | 150 | 126 |
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.










