Paignton Surf Break

Paignton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 50.43° N 3.56° W

Issued: 12 am 05 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Paignton sea temperature is
17.5° C

2.4°C warmer than normal for this time of year

Paignton surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Paignton surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 12 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period, E swell with 55 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 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 05) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 7AM (Sun 12th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a tough stretch for Paignton. We’re looking at a long quiet spell right from the start, with nothing worth paddling out for from Sunday, July 5th through Wednesday, July 8th. The water’s dead flat, and there’s just no energy to work with. That’s a solid four days of no surf.

The first real pulse of anything shows up on Thursday, July 9th, but it’s a sad little affair. A tiny 2ft to 2ft easterly swell with a short period of 3 to 4 seconds, combined energy of just 6 to 14 – weak stuff. And the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s all messy and uninviting. That continues right through the week, with small, poor quality windswell and onshore breezes. Saturday, July 11th, sees a bit more wind, 16 mph from the ENE, but the swell is still only 2ft and choppy.

It isn’t until Friday, July 17th that we finally see something with a bit of grunt. The morning brings a 4ft swell from the NE, period a short 4 seconds, and combined energy at 40 – still weak overall. But by Friday afternoon, the energy jumps to 311 (moderate wave energy) with a 5ft swell from the east, period 7 seconds. That’s the biggest swell of the whole outlook, but the wind is cross-onshore from the ESE at 12 mph, and the break gets that “moderate cross-onshore and choppy” label. That’s too big and lumpy for beginners, and at that size with short period and poor wind, it’s not a standout for anyone really – more of a windy, messy workout than a good surf.

Saturday, July 18th, drops back to 3ft with fresh onshore winds, and the last few days into Monday, July 20th, are tiny again with clean but weak cross-offshore winds – nice to look at, but no real swell to ride.

There is no true standout in this whole 16-day window. If you’re desperate, Friday July 17th afternoon has the most size, but the quality is shot. For a beginner-focused break like Paignton, this whole period is a write-off. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, no anomaly to speak of.

All in all, a flat and frustrating run. It tends not to stay this poor for long around here, so keep an eye on the forecasts.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
10
0.4
SW
3
0.1
W
9
0.1
W
9
0.2
W
9
0.1
W
8
0.1
W
9
0.1
S
12
0.1
W
8
0.1
W
10
0.1
W
10
0.2
ESE
3
0.5
ENE
3
0.6
E
4
0.4
E
4
0.3
E
6
0.5
E
5
0.4
ENE
5
0.6
E
6
0.6
E
5
0.5
E
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
6
14
6
7
13
7
27
20
13
Wind (km/h)
5
NW
10
W
10
NW
5
SSW
15
W
10
NW
5
SSW
15
W
10
NNW
10
ESE
10
SE
10
NNW
15
NE
10
ESE
10
N
15
NE
10
ESE
15
N
25
ENE
15
E
15
NE
Wind State
glassy
off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
High Tide
10:48AM3.27m
10:57PM3.53m
11:26AM3.23m
11:35PM3.44m
12:07PM3.17m
00:17AM3.32m
12:54PM3.11m
1:07AM3.19m
1:49PM3.05m
2:09AM3.08m
2:57PM3.04m
3:28AM3.02m
4:20PM3.12m
Low Tide
4:00PM0.56m
4:30AM0.45m
4:41PM0.66m
5:13AM0.53m
5:28PM0.79m
6:04AM0.65m
6:27PM0.93m
7:08AM0.78m
7:42PM1.02m
8:24AM0.85m
9:05PM0.97m
9:40AM0.79m
10:18PM0.79m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:09
5:09
5:11
5:11
5:11
5:13
5:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:27
9:27
9:25
9:24
9:24
9:23
9:22
 mm
Temp °C
23
26
22
25
27
22
26
28
23
25
27
25
25
26
26
24
25
23
25
26
24
Feels °C
23
25
21
23
24
20
24
25
20
21
23
23
22
26
25
21
24
22
22
24
23
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SW
6
0.1
W
10
0.1
W
9
0.2
W
9
0.1
W
8
0.1
W
9
0.1
W
9
0.1
W
8
0.1
W
10
0.2
ESE
3
0.1
W
10
0.6
E
4
0.4
E
4
0.3
E
6
0.5
E
5
0.3
E
5
0.1
W
8
0.6
E
5
0.5
E
5
Energy kJ
2
2
2
6
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
14
6
7
13
4
1
20
13
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
10
0.1
W
9
0.1
W
10
0.1
W
10
0.1
W
10
0.1
W
6
0.1
W
10
0.1
W
10
0.1
W
8
0.1
W
8
0.1
W
8
Energy kJ
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
12
0.1
W
10
0.1
W
6
Energy kJ
3
2
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
3
0.4
SW
2
0.5
ENE
3
0.4
ENE
4
0.4
ENE
4
0.4
ENE
5
0.6
E
6
Energy kJ
2
1
6
6
5
7
27
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
130
104
122
132
137
98
126
137
81
81
94
81
94
137
91
81
127
81
91
114
81
Best forecast wave conditions in South Devon
Rating
(10 max)
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
7
5
6
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
9
5
5
5
5
8
7
6
8
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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