Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, E swell with 31 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.8m 5s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 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. The outlook over the next 16 days for Paignton is a tough one. There just isn't any surf worth paddling out for. The first pocket of anything that could be called a wave shows up on Saturday the 18th of July, but it’s weak, disorganised, and not recommended.
The 18th sees a tiny 1ft swell from the NE with a period of only 3 seconds, and the combined wave energy is a measly (3). That’s basically a lake paddle. The wind is cross-onshore, making it choppy. Better luck with the afternoon: a tiny 0.7ft from the east, but the wind is cross-off, so at least it’s clean. Still, not worth getting wet for.
Sunday the 19th has a slightly bigger 2ft swell from the east, but the period is still short at 4-5 seconds. The combined energy never gets above (25) – it’s all weak, wind-affected slop. Monday the 20th through Wednesday the 22nd is a complete flat spell. Zero energy. If you’re a beginner, there’s nothing to learn on. The water temp is 67° – that’s 6° warmer than normal for this time of year, which is very unusual, but there’s no surf to enjoy it in.
The pattern repeats itself through the second week. A few tiny pulses of 2ft or 1ft from the east on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th, but the energy is so low (15 or less) it’s frustrating. The end of the month and into the 1st of August is all flat with no swell on the charts. The wind does go offshore and clean on several days, but with no waves to push, it’s just a pretty picture.
In short, we’ve got a 16-day blank. The kind of quiet run that’s more normal for this area when the Atlantic just isn’t playing ball. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye out, but for now, leave the board at home.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 3 | E 4 | ESE 4 | E 4 | E 5 | ESE 4 | W 9 | W 9 | E 4 | W 11 | E 5 | E 4 | W 10 | SW 3 | N 3 | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | SE 4 | — |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 25 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 2:38PM2.64m | 3:12AM2.51m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:31AM1.36m | 9:21PM1.44m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:09 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 25 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 20 | 23 | 19 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 4 | — | — | E 5 | ESE 4 | — | — | E 4 | — | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | ESE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | 25 | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 2 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | SW 5 | W 8 | — | W 7 | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 11 | W 10 | — | W 10 | — | W 9 | — | — | W 9 | E 4 | W 8 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 8 | — | — | W 11 | W 7 | — | — | W 11 | W 8 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | S 14 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | — | ESE 4 | E 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 2 | — | SW 3 | N 3 | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | — | SE 4 | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | 3 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 8 | — | 3 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 515 | 529 | 81 | 258 | 617 | 409 | 467 | 483 | 98 | 105 | 135 | 321 | 441 | 529 | 321 | 81 | 624 | 417 | 417 | 478 | 496 |
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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