
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, E swell with 198 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 5s period. 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 1.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. Right now, Paignton is flat and quiet. The first few days of August are a total washout, with no waves to speak of, just clean conditions and a breeze. That gap runs from the start all the way to the morning of the 12th of August, so about a week of nothing.
Then, on the morning of Monday the 12th of August, we finally get a little bump. It’s small, about 4ft from the east with a period of 6 seconds, so it’s short-period wind swell. The combined energy is weak, only 94. The wind is glassy – light offshore from the east, calm as glass. That means the waves will be clean, even if they’re small and weak. The water temperature is 67°, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s a bonus. That morning is the best you’ll get, but it’s really only for beginners or longboarders who don’t mind tiny, gentle waves. By afternoon, the wind picks up cross-offshore and messes it up, and the rest of the week goes flat again.
Plain and simple, there’s no standout session here. The morning of the 12th is the only time you’ll even get wet, and it’s inconsistent and low energy. The rest of the 16 days is a mix of poor surf and no surf, with offshore winds but no height to speak of. For kite surfers, the stronger winds later on might look better, but for paddle surfing, it’s a long, flat stretch.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Wed morning, calm by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 7 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 3 | S 12 | SW 5 | S 12 | S 11 | W 8 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | E 3 | E 4 | W 10 | NE 4 | W 8 | SW 6 | E 3 | E 5 | E 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 27 | 57 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:32AM3.35m | 11:44PM3.39m | 12:15PM3.19m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:00PM0.55m | 5:29AM0.54m | 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 | ||||||||
5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
— | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 11 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | S 13 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | SW 5 | SW 5 | W 9 | — | W 8 | W 7 | ESE 3 | E 3 | E 4 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | W 6 | W 11 |
29 | 3 | 6 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | S 12 | W 6 | W 5 | — | W 6 | — | S 12 | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | W 10 | — |
— | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 12 | — | S 12 | — | SW 6 | S 11 | — | — | W 8 | W 7 | SW 12 | W 10 | W 5 | W 8 | — | W 10 | W 10 | — |
— | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | WSW 4 | W 3 | — | WSW 3 | NNW 2 | — | SW 2 | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — | SW 3 | NNW 3 | — | — | — | E 3 | E 5 | E 5 |
7 | 17 | 5 | — | 7 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 27 | 57 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 756 | 246 | 245 | 130 | 513 | 414 | 417 | 450 | 450 | 156 | 105 | 87 | 135 | 156 | 129 | 137 | 137 | 135 | 496 | 169 | 0 |
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.











