Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 5s period, S swell with 83 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 5s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you about Paignton. I've looked at the charts, and for the next couple of weeks, we are in a serious drought. There’s basically nothing on the cards that’s worth paddling out for.
The entire 16-day window is a write-off. We’ve got a solid gap right from the start with no surf to speak of. Most of the time, the wave energy is zero (0), and on the rare occasions we do see a tiny blip of swell, it’s tiny, short-period slop. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, but you won't be feeling it while sitting on your board because there won't be anything to ride.
Let's run through the few days that even show a pulse. Around the 23rd of August, we get a tiny 1ft easterly swell with a period of just 5 seconds and combined energy of only 9 (weak). The wind is cross-onshore, so it’ll be bumpy and weak. On the 28th of August, the afternoon shows a 2ft southerly swell with a 4-second period (energy 15 – weak) and offshore wind, which would make it clean, but that swell is so small and short it’s barely a ripple. It’s a beginners-only setup at best.
Honestly, for a spot that’s already inconsistent, this is a proper flat spell. Even the stronger winds we see at the end of the period, like the 25 mph offshore on the 29th, are doing nothing for us because there's no swell to groom. It’s the kind of setup that looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Hang tight. It tends not to stay this poor for long around here, but for now, the boards stay in the shed.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, light winds from the ESE by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 16 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | W 10 | ENE 2 | WSW 8 | S 16 | S 15 | E 3 | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | SSE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 19 | 14 | 16 | 5 | 17 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:21AM3.22m | 11:33PM3.11m | 11:54AM2.97m | 00:10AM2.82m | 12:36PM2.74m | 00:59AM2.56m | 1:38PM2.55m | 2:18AM2.39m | 3:26PM2.50m | 4:39AM2.44m | 5:20PM2.72m | 5:54AM2.70m | 6:12PM3.04m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:37AM0.60m | 4:53PM0.82m | 5:12AM0.92m | 5:32PM1.13m | 5:53AM1.24m | 6:26PM1.44m | 7:03AM1.52m | 8:30PM1.62m | 9:18AM1.58m | 10:16PM1.49m | 10:35AM1.39m | 11:13PM1.23m | 11:24AM1.13m | 11:53PM0.94m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | |  | | |  | |  | | |  | |
 | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 18 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | W 10 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | SW 5 | W 10 | W 10 | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | SW 7 |
| kJ | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 19 | 14 | 16 | 5 | 11 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | — | W 10 | — | SW 14 | W 10 | W 10 | — | W 8 | S 15 | S 15 | SW 15 | E 6 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | W 10 |
| kJ | 5 | — | 2 | — | 8 | 8 | 2 | — | 1 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | W 9 | S 13 | S 16 | — | SW 15 | W 10 | S 14 | W 9 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | — |
| kJ | 10 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 1 | 3 | 5 | — | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 7 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | NNW 2 | ENE 2 | — | NNW 2 | — | E 3 | — | NNE 2 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | SSE 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 17 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 567 | 193 | 163 | 159 | 130 | 29 | 40 | 40 | 162 | 81 | 140 | 87 | 87 | 135 | 105 | 378 | 282 | 246 | 137 | 91 | 83 |
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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