Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, E swell with 47 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The surf forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore 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 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
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 next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat for our stretch of coast. The swell charts are showing a whole lot of nothing for a long time. We're looking at a serious run of days with no rideable surf on the menu.
The pickings are so slim that we have to jump all the way to Friday, the 21st of August, to find even a hint of a wave. Before that, from now until Thursday, it's a dead zone. Just clean, empty, flat ocean. If you're keen, that's a good time for a paddle or a swim, but you won't be surfing.
Okay, so Friday the 21st. We've got a tiny pulse of swell, around 2ft to 2ft, with a period of 4 to 5 seconds. That's short-period, wind-slop stuff, and the energy is weak. It's not going to be pretty. However, Friday afternoon looks the best of a bad bunch, with light winds and a clean-ish surface, even with a bit of rain around. If you're desperate, this is your window, but manage your expectations. This is not a day for the highlight reel.
Saturday the 22nd sees a touch more size, up to 3ft, but the period is still a weak 6 seconds and the wind is onshore. It's going to be lumpy and generally poor.
After that, we're back to nothing. From Sunday the 23rd all the way through to the end of the window on Tuesday the 1st of September, the charts are flat. There’s a lot of days with no surf. You'll see offshore winds and glassy conditions at times, which is a cruel tease. On the 26th and 27th, we even get a forecast for completely glassy conditions with no wind, but there is simply no swell to go with it.
The only thing worth noting is the water temp. When we first see a blip of surf on the Friday, the water is sitting at 67°F, which is a solid 5°F warmer than normal for this time of year. That's a notable difference, so you can leave the thickest wetsuit at home.
Bottom line: there is no good surf in this 16-day window. It’s a blank run. For this place, that’s just how it goes sometimes. The forecasts can change, and it doesn’t usually stay this poor for long, so keep an eye out, but don't hold your breath. I'll see you out there when the ocean wakes up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 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) | WSW 2 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | S 16 | WSW 4 | S 17 | S 16 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | WSW 3 | NW 3 | NE 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | S 14 | S 14 | N 2 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 9 | 44 | 30 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 10:20AM3.66m | 10:31PM3.71m | 10:51AM3.45m | 11:01PM3.41m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:42PM0.28m | 4:04AM0.31m | 4:17PM0.52m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 16 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 16 | S 16 | S 17 | W 7 | S 16 | S 15 | SW 6 | W 10 | WSW 5 | SW 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | — | S 14 | S 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 9 | 44 | 30 | 7 | — | 4 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | S 16 | — | W 10 | W 10 | S 14 | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 15 | S 14 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 5 | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 4 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 14 | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 2 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | W 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WNW 3 | WSW 3 | NW 3 | NE 4 | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | N 2 |
| kJ | 1 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 21 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 451 | 565 | 246 | 274 | 811 | 280 | 296 | 251 | 162 | 136 | 130 | 29 | 81 | 246 | 245 | 126 | 289 | 87 | 40 | 486 | 378 |
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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