Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 7s period, E swell with 603 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 2.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Paignton. Straight up, I gotta be real with you – the next 16 days look pretty bleak for getting wet. We've got a long stretch of nothing, so don't hold your breath.
Looking at the whole picture, the first hint of any surf doesn't show up until Saturday the 24th of August. Before that, from now through Friday the 23rd, it’s flat. A tiny 0.7ft to 0.3ft bump on Friday morning and afternoon is just not worth paddling out for. Saturday and Sunday are similar – small, weak, and messy. So, we’ve got a quiet spell.
Monday the 24th of August brings the first real pulse. Monday morning sees a 3.6ft swell from the east, but the wind is howling onshore from the east at 19 mph. The combined swell energy is weak (54), so it’s not holding any power. It’s a tough paddle and choppy. By Monday afternoon, that swell jumps to 5.6ft from the east, with even stronger onshore wind at 25 mph, and the energy picks up to moderate (207). That’s too big for beginners and the conditions will be raw. This is more of a strong wind and chop situation – might be more fun for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.
Tuesday the 25th of August morning looks similar with 5.2ft east swell and fresh onshore wind. Energy is moderate (226). The afternoon drops back to 3.3ft but stays choppy. After Tuesday, it’s pretty much game over. From Wednesday the 26th onward through to the end of the forecast on September 5th, we’ve got nothing but zeros for swell and a lot of clean wind. The wind will be offshore or cross-off a bunch of times, but there is no wave to ride.
So, the only real standout, if you can call it that, is Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th of August. If you are an experienced surfer who doesn't mind onshore wind and some size, the Monday afternoon session with 5.6ft east swell (207 moderate energy) is your best shot, but don't expect any quality. Paignton itself is a beginner spot that is inconsistent and only fairly exposed to easterly swells, so this is a rare event, but the wind just ruins it. For everyone else, leave the board in the car. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a long dry spell.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon night, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, strong winds from the E by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 3 | NE 4 | S 16 | ENE 4 | E 5 | E 4 | ENE 3 | SW 14 | SE 4 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | S 6 | SSE 5 | S 8 | S 5 | SW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 54 | 207 | 603 | 226 | 74 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 39 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:36PM2.74m | 00:59AM2.56m | 1:38PM2.55m | 2:18AM2.39m | 3:26PM2.50m | 4:39AM2.44m | 5:20PM2.72m | 5:54AM2.70m | 6:12PM3.04m | 6:36AM2.99m | 6:49PM3.35m | 7:11AM3.27m | 7:22PM3.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:53AM1.24m | 6:26PM1.44m | 7:03AM1.52m | 8:30PM1.62m | 9:18AM1.58m | 10:16PM1.49m | 10:35AM1.39m | 11:13PM1.23m | 11:24AM1.13m | 11:53PM0.94m | 12:01PM0.85m | 00:27AM0.64m | 12:33PM0.58m | 00:58AM0.36m | |||||||
 | |  |  | | | | |  |  |  | | | |  |  | |  | | |  | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 12 |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | NE 4 | SW 5 | S 15 | W 10 | E 4 | S 14 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | — | SW 8 | WSW 10 | SW 7 | W 11 |
| kJ | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 74 | 12 | 1 | — | 100 | 10 | 44 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | S 13 | — | W 8 | S 15 | SW 15 | — | SW 14 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | E 4 | W 9 | W 8 | — | W 8 | — |
| kJ | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | 4 | 8 | — | 8 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 5 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 16 | S 16 | W 10 | SW 15 | W 10 | W 9 | — | SW 14 | — | W 9 | W 12 | — | S 13 | SW 4 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | — | 8 | — | 2 | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 3 | WSW 6 | NNW 3 | ENE 4 | E 5 | — | ENE 3 | — | — | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | — | SSE 4 | S 5 | S 6 | SSE 5 | S 8 | S 5 | SW 8 |
| kJ | 1 | 3 | 1 | 19 | 15 | — | 1 | — | — | 54 | 207 | 603 | 226 | — | 6 | 64 | 114 | 8 | 121 | 39 | 82 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 40 | 150 | 87 | 81 | 156 | 87 | 135 | 113 | 87 | 347 | 192 | 180 | 207 | 220 | 119 | 311 | 170 | 84 | 108 | 483 | 88 |
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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