Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, E swell with 141 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.
Straight up, I gotta be honest with you – this is a pretty grim stretch for Paignton. There’s no good surf on offer at all during the entire 16-day window. We’re looking at a long, flat run with nothing that’s worth paddling out for. Every single session is rated as poor surf conditions, and the wave energy is weak to non-existent.
The first recommendation comes in on Wednesday, July 15th, but it’s a write-off. You’ve got a 4 ft swell from the east, but it’s a short-period 6 seconds with a moderate cross-onshore wind at 16 mph, making for choppy, messy conditions. The combined energy is only 77 (weak), and the water temp is about average for this time of year.
Thursday the 16th is much the same – 3 ft east swell, still short period, and that cross-onshore wind chops it up again. Energy drops to 64.
Friday the 17th sees the swell fade to 2 ft, but the wind swings cross-offshore in the afternoon, cleaning things up a bit. Still, with only 33 energy and a 6-second period, there’s just no push.
The rest of the week and into the next is a mix of tiny, weak swells and onshore wind. Saturday the 18th is basically flat, with 1 ft and only 2 energy. Sunday the 19th bumps up to 5 ft, but it’s a fresh cross-onshore breeze at 19 mph, making it lumpy and ugly. Not for beginners, and not fun for anyone else.
The second week is even quieter. From Monday the 20th through to Wednesday the 30th, the swell stays under 2 ft, with long spells of zero wave energy. There are a few glassy moments on the 25th, but with only 2 ft from the north and 4 energy, it’s a flat calm.
For a spot like Paignton, which is inconsistent and a beginner-friendly beach break, this kind of blank run is pretty normal. The east swell direction is okay, but the winds are almost always working against us. If you’re a kite surfer, the breezy, choppy days might offer some fun, but for a paddle surfer, there’s nothing here. Save your energy and wait for a proper swell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri night, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Sun morning, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | NE 3 | W 8 | NNE 3 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | ESE 4 | ENE 3 | E 4 | E 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 77 | 141 | 27 | 64 | 52 | 37 | 33 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 110 | 92 | 13 | 46 | 20 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 10 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:08AM3.68m | 8:25PM4.06m | 8:54AM3.77m | 9:09PM4.13m | 9:37AM3.76m | 9:50PM4.09m | 10:18AM3.68m | 10:30PM3.93m | 10:57AM3.53m | 11:07PM3.70m | 11:34AM3.33m | 11:44PM3.41m | 12:11PM3.13m | 00:21AM3.12m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:21PM0.15m | 1:53AM-0.04m | 2:06PM0.10m | 2:37AM-0.06m | 2:49PM0.13m | 3:20AM0.02m | 3:31PM0.26m | 4:02AM0.18m | 4:12PM0.46m | 4:43AM0.42m | 4:55PM0.70m | 5:25AM0.69m | 5:40PM0.97m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 20 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | S 14 | SW 7 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | W 5 | — | — | W 8 | E 6 | W 7 | W 9 | E 5 | ESE 4 | W 11 | E 4 | W 10 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 37 | 33 | 13 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 92 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 16 | W 9 | — | S 14 | SW 7 | SW 6 | S 13 | — | W 8 | SW 5 | W 8 | W 11 | — | W 10 | W 12 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | — |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 2 | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | S 13 | — | SW 12 | — | S 12 | W 8 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 6 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | NNE 3 | ENE 6 | — | E 5 | E 6 | — | — | ENE 3 | — | E 5 |
| kJ | 77 | 141 | 27 | 64 | 52 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 5 | 110 | — | 13 | 46 | — | — | 8 | — | 10 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 156 | 87 | 290 | 157 | 113 | 87 | 156 | 1108 | 467 | 483 | 529 | 81 | 482 | 401 | 81 | 409 | 483 | 477 | 156 | 113 | 87 |
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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