Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 4s period, ESE swell with 2 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.2m 4s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right. Pull up a seat. Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – this is a tough one for the South Hams. I’ve been staring at the charts for Paignton and it’s a long, dry spell ahead.
We’re looking at a real desert of a forecast. From Saturday the 25th of July right through to the 8th of August, there’s nothing that’s even close to being worth a paddle. That’s a solid two-week gap with no recommendations. The combined swell energy is either zero or scratching around in the single digits – you’re looking at values like 0, 1, or 2, which is about as weak as it gets. The swell that does show up is tiny, under 1 ft, with a period of just 3 to 6 seconds, so it’s pure windswash. Even when the wind is offshore or glassy, like on the morning of the 30th of July, there’s simply no wave to ride.
The water temp is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year. Nothing unusual there.
Now, the first glimmer of anything comes on the 8th of August. Saturday afternoon. We get a pulse of 2 ft swell from the southeast, but with a short period of 3 seconds, it’s not going to have any punch. The wind is offshore and moderate, which is a positive, but the combined energy is still only 9. That’s not going to inspire anyone.
The only real standout – and I use that term loosely – is Sunday the 9th of August. The morning brings a 4 ft swell from the east, with a period of 6 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 80 (moderate). The wind is a light cross-onshore, which isn’t ideal, but it’s the biggest swell we’ve seen. It’s still a beginner-level wave though, and given the location, it’s likely to be a bit crumbly.
Honestly, for the first two weeks, save your petrol and wax. The setup looks far more interesting for a kiteboarder than a surfer. But that Sunday the 9th of August morning is the one to keep an eye on. It’s far out, so don’t bank on it, but it’s the only thing on the board that has any life.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 3 | SW 5 | W 9 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | E 3 | ESE 4 | W 10 | — | W 10 | WSW 3 | W 9 | SSW 4 | SW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 4:16PM2.64m | 5:04AM2.57m | 5:43PM2.81m | 6:13AM2.76m | 6:34PM3.06m | 6:57AM2.98m | 7:13PM3.31m | 7:35AM3.18m | 7:48PM3.53m | 8:09AM3.35m | 8:21PM3.71m | 8:42AM3.47m | 8:54PM3.82m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:49AM1.35m | 10:31PM1.32m | 10:50AM1.22m | 11:24PM1.14m | 11:37AM1.04m | 00:07AM0.92m | 12:17PM0.84m | 00:45AM0.70m | 12:53PM0.64m | 1:19AM0.50m | 1:26PM0.47m | 1:52AM0.33m | 1:58PM0.34m | 2:23AM0.20m | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 25 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 20 | 22 | 26 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 21 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 19 | 20 | 25 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | — | SW 5 | SW 5 | W 5 | ESE 3 | E 3 | ESE 4 | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 12 | WSW 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 9 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 12 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | W 11 | — | — | W 10 | — | W 9 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 7 | — | 6 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | — | SW 3 | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | WSW 3 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SW 5 |
| kJ | — | 3 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 2 | — | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 66 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 486 | 468 | 570 | 779 | 246 | 30 | 104 | 109 | 81 | 105 | 98 | 105 | 137 | 156 | 137 | 156 | 156 | 132 | 87 | 30 | 30 |
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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