Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 5s period, E swell with 18 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 5s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking.
Honestly, mate, it’s a grim stretch ahead for Paignton. We’re looking at a solid two-and-a-half-week blank with hardly a ripple worth paddling for. From now through to the 21st of August, the surf is practically non-existent. There are a few tiny bumps here and there, but nothing that’ll get a surfer out of bed.
The first bit of anything is on Saturday the 8th in the morning, with a pathetic 0.7ft swell out of the ENE at a period of just 2 seconds. Combined wave energy is a measly 1 – that’s basically flat. Wind is onshore from the east at 6 mph, so even if there was something, it’d be messy. That’s not surf, that’s a ripple in a bathtub.
Sunday the 9th morning shows a slight lift to 1ft from the ENE, still a short 3-second period, and combined energy only 4. Wind is cross-onshore from the NE at 6 mph. It’s poor. The afternoon is similar – 1ft from the ESE, 4-second period, energy up to 5, but still cross-onshore from the SSE at 6 mph. Not worth a second look.
Things tease a tiny bit on Tuesday the 11th afternoon, with 2ft from the east, 5-second period, and combined energy climbing to 18. But the wind is onshore from the east at 12 mph – that’s a chop fest. Wednesday the 12th morning has 2ft from the east, 6-second period, energy 15, with a light cross-shore breeze from the north at 6 mph. The afternoon improves slightly: 1ft from the ENE, 5-second period, energy 17, and a gentle offshore from the west at 9 mph. That’s about as clean as it gets, but the swell is tiny.
After that, from the 13th right through the 21st, we’re back to zeroes and dashes. The water temperature on the 6th of August was 67°F – about 5°F warmer than average for this time of year, so it’s much warmer than normal. Not that it matters when there’s no waves.
The break itself, Paignton, is a beginner-friendly spot, inconsistent, and can get crowded sometimes. It’s fairly exposed to swell from the east, but with no swell of any substance, that’s irrelevant. There’s simply nothing to recommend. If you’re desperate for a paddle, maybe a longboard on the 12th afternoon when it’s clean offshore, but don’t expect a wave.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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 3 | W 10 | W 10 | S 12 | N 2 | ENE 2 | W 7 | ESE 3 | ENE 3 | ESE 4 | E 4 | NNE 3 | SW 6 | SW 7 | ESE 3 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | WSW 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 11 | 15 | 9 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross | cross | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:33AM3.16m | 1:11PM3.02m | 1:39AM2.93m | 2:27PM2.90m | 3:14AM2.81m | 4:11PM2.97m | 5:03AM2.93m | 5:39PM3.25m | 6:17AM3.22m | 6:39PM3.61m | 7:11AM3.51m | 7:27PM3.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:52PM0.79m | 6:26AM0.81m | 7:02PM1.03m | 7:46AM1.04m | 8:38PM1.12m | 9:20AM1.06m | 10:08PM0.97m | 10:36AM0.88m | 11:16PM0.67m | 11:36AM0.61m | 00:10AM0.35m | 12:25PM0.35m | 00:57AM0.08m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 26 | 30 | 21 |
Feels °C | 16 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 4 | SW 5 | W 9 | — | W 9 | W 7 | ESE 3 | W 6 | ESE 4 | E 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | WSW 9 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 15 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | — | W 10 | S 12 | — | W 5 | — | W 7 | — | W 6 | SW 7 | — | — | — | E 6 | W 10 | W 12 | W 10 | ENE 5 | — |
| kJ | 6 | — | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 9 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 10 | — | SW 12 | W 9 | — | — | W 6 | W 9 | S 12 | E 4 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | SW 6 | W 6 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | 6 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | NNW 2 | — | SW 3 | N 2 | ENE 2 | — | ESE 3 | ENE 3 | — | NNW 2 | NNE 3 | — | — | ESE 3 | E 5 | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 4 |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 4 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 18 | — | — | 6 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 477 | 313 | 417 | 450 | 245 | 245 | 156 | 135 | 499 | 156 | 135 | 140 | 156 | 132 | 156 | 193 | 81 | 84 | 104 | 30 |
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.
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