Paignton Surf Break

Lat Long: 50.43° N 3.56° W

Paignton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Paignton sea temperature is
18.4°C
2.1° 

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


Paignton surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 3s period, N swell with 1 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 3s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 10s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful10PM (Fri 11th Sep)1ft (0.3m) 3s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a hard look at the next couple of weeks down at Paignton. I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. There’s a long, dry gap at the start with absolutely nothing rideable.

We kick off right now, and things are flat. The first real glimmer of anything doesn’t show up until the 16th of September, but even then it's a tease. You’re looking at weak 2ft swell from the SE with a short period of 4 seconds. The energy is a measly 7, barely a ripple. You could probably get on a foamboard, but it’s not worth wetting a wetsuit for unless you’re desperate.

From the 17th through to the 19th, it’s basically flat again – a few tiny ripples in the 0.7ft to 1ft range, but with onshore or cross-onshore winds, it’s a total write-off.

Things start to perk up a little around the 20th of September. Sunday morning we see some waist-to-chest high lines at 3ft from the ESE, period still short at 4 seconds. Energy is weak (22). The wind is a light cross-shore, so it won’t be a total mess, but it’s not clean either. The afternoon cleans up a touch with a cross-offshore breeze from the SSW, but the swell is still weak.

Now, I have to flag the 21st and 22nd of September for the bigger swells, but honestly, it’s not what we want. On Monday the 21st, the swell bumps up to 5ft from the E, with period climbing to 6 seconds. The wave energy hits moderate levels (127), so there’s some power. However, it’s blowing a stiff 25 mph from the WNW. That’s a cross-offshore, which will actually keep it clean, but that wind speed is going to shred the surface and make paddling out a battle. The swell direction is from the East, and Paignton’s optimum is from the East – so the angle is right, but the wind strength is the killer. This is going to be blown-out, chunky, and only for the fit lads. It’s not beginner-friendly at over 5ft, and it’s on the edge of being expert-only. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Tuesday the 22nd is a step down to 4ft, with a similar 6-second period and moderate energy (89). The wind drops to 15 mph from the NW, still cross-off, so cleaner, but still messy. The consistency isn’t there, and it’s still on the big side for a beach break.

After that, it peters out again. The 23rd of September fades to 2ft from the E, with a short 5-second period and energy dropping to 18. Light cross-off wind, so it’ll be clean, but there’s just no push.

Bottom line: This is a pretty bleak outlook for Paignton. There’s no standout, no real quality window. The period is short across the board, so no proper groundswell. If you’re absolutely desperate for a paddle, the early morning on the 20th or the 21st might offer the most movement, but you’ll be fighting the wind. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild. A blank run like this happens here – forecasts can change, but for now, leave the board in the car.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
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)
0.3
WSW
11
0.2
WSW
10
0.4
SW
8
0.4
SW
8
0.4
SW
8
0.2
WSW
8
0.4
SW
8
0.8
SSW
4
1.1
SW
5
0.4
SW
10
0.4
SW
8
0.2
N
3
0.2
WSW
8
0.6
SW
3
0.4
W
11
0.4
SW
5
0.3
SW
6
0.2
WSW
7
0.1
W
10
0.4
SW
2
0.1
W
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Wind (km/h)
20
N
35
NW
20
WNW
15
NW
0
W
5
W
20
SSW
30
SW
20
WNW
15
NW
15
NW
10
NNW
5
WSW
20
WSW
25
WSW
20
W
20
W
10
W
5
SW
20
WSW
10
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
5:33PM3.27m
6:10AM3.25m
6:26PM3.63m
6:56AM3.56m
7:10PM3.91m
7:36AM3.78m
7:48PM4.07m
8:11AM3.91m
8:23PM4.11m
8:43AM3.93m
8:55PM4.03m
9:13AM3.85m
9:25PM3.86m
Low Tide
10:34AM1.00m
11:13PM0.68m
11:29AM0.67m
00:00AM0.34m
12:13PM0.37m
00:41AM0.07m
12:53PM0.13m
1:17AM-0.10m
1:30PM-0.01m
1:52AM-0.15m
2:05PM-0.05m
2:25AM-0.10m
2:38PM0.02m
2:56AM0.06m
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:37
6:39
6:41
6:41
6:43
6:45
6:47
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:44
7:42
7:39
7:37
7:36
7:32
7:30
 mm
4
1
Temp °C
18
17
15
16
17
14
17
17
16
19
19
13
16
17
17
20
21
17
22
23
19
Feels °C
12
10
10
13
16
13
14
11
12
16
16
10
13
12
15
18
18
17
22
22
19
  • 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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