
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, E swell with 112 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, in feet and miles for the imperial crew. Gotta be honest, the outlook for Paignton over the next 16 days is a tough pill to swallow. There’s a lot of flat, a lot of nothing, and only a few tiny windows of barely-rideable junk.
We’re looking at no real surf until the morning of Sunday, 19th July. That’s a four-day gap of nothing. On that Sunday morning, we finally get a pulse: 4ft from the east, with a period of 6 seconds – short-period, weak energy at 112 (moderate, just barely). The wind’s cross-onshore from the NE at 15 mph, so it’s gonna be choppy and messy. Waist-high, but not clean.
Then it’s back to dribble. Monday 20th has 0.3ft, Tuesday 21st has 0.3ft, Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd are flat – zero swell. Then Friday 24th through Tuesday 28th? Another five days of nothing. A long, dry spell.
Late in the window, we get a little flicker. On Wednesday 30th July, there’s a 3ft east swell, period 5 seconds, with clean offshore NW winds at 12 mph. Energy is 27 (weak). It’s small, but glassy conditions in the morning will make it look better. Then Thursday 31st July morning has a glassy, 1ft east swell – period 4 seconds – energy of just 6. Tiny, but a beginner on a longboard might catch a knee-high wave.
The best of the bunch? I’d say Wednesday 30th July. That 3ft east swell with clean NW winds (offshore for Paignton) will give you smooth, clean surfaces. The break is Paignton itself – a beginner-friendly, fairly exposed beach break that’s inconsistent. Not a standout, but the best we’ve got. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
There’s a glassy morning on the 31st, but the swell is barely a ripple. Honestly, for most of this period, the setup is more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddler.
Hang in there. It’s been a blank run, but that’s not unusual for the area. Forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the NE by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 6 | E 5 | NW 2 | NE 3 | E 4 | ENE 4 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | E 4 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | W 10 | — | N 4 | NE 3 | W 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
15 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 112 | 41 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:37AM3.76m | 9:50PM4.09m | 10:18AM3.68m | 10:30PM3.93m | 10:57AM3.53m | 11:07PM3.70m | 11:34AM3.33m | 11:44PM3.41m | 12:11PM3.13m | 00:21AM3.12m | 12:50PM2.93m | 1:02AM2.85m | 1:36PM2.75m | 1:54AM2.63m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:49PM0.13m | 3:20AM0.02m | 3:31PM0.26m | 4:02AM0.18m | 4:12PM0.46m | 4:43AM0.42m | 4:55PM0.70m | 5:25AM0.69m | 5:40PM0.97m | 6:11AM0.97m | 6:35PM1.23m | 7:11AM1.21m | 7:53PM1.41m | ||||||||
5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 26 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 18 |
Feels °C | 19 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | E 4 | — | W 8 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | ESE 5 | E 4 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | W 5 | W 9 | — | — |
15 | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 41 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | S 12 | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | W 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 11 | E 3 | W 3 | W 10 | — | W 9 | — | — | — |
1 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SW 12 | SW 5 | — | — | W 8 | — | W 10 | W 7 | — | — | W 3 | W 8 | W 7 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 8 |
3 | 6 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | NW 2 | NE 3 | — | ENE 4 | E 6 | — | — | ESE 4 | — | — | ENE 2 | — | NW 2 | — | — | N 4 | NE 3 | SSW 2 | — |
— | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | 6 | 112 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 12 | 2 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 378 | 908 | 486 | 529 | 529 | 81 | 156 | 599 | 409 | 157 | 483 | 258 | 105 | 679 | 321 | 782 | 771 | 127 | 417 | 524 | 442 |
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.










