
Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period, E swell with 37 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.7m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 10AM. 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a coffee and listen up. I’m looking at the charts for the next couple of weeks, and I’ve got to be straight with you—it’s a bit of a flat spell for the most part. We’re talking about Paignton here, and to be honest, the ocean’s just not playing ball for a good long while.
Right now, we’re staring down the barrel of a quiet run. From Tuesday the 28th of July, all the way through to the 1st of August, there’s simply no decent swell to speak of. The water’s warm, way warmer than usual for this time of year, sitting at 67°F with a big anomaly of 5°F—that’s a pleasant surprise for a paddle, but it won’t get you a wave. The wind might be light or even glassy on the Friday morning, but without any swell, it’s just a pretty lake. It’s a frustrating gap of nearly a week with nothing to recommend.
Now, we finally see a little pulse of life rolling in on Sunday the 2nd of August. A tiny, weak easterly windswell tries to push in, with a height of about 2 ft and a short, weak period of 4 seconds. The combined energy is next to nothing at just 7, so barely a bump. The wind is onshore and choppy in the afternoon, making it a messy affair. Not one for the quiver. Monday the 3rd looks a touch better, with a 2 ft swell from the east and a period of 6 seconds, giving us a bit more energy (39). The morning starts with a light cross-shore, and the afternoon sees a cross-offshore breeze, keeping things clean. But look, 2 ft and short period? It’s small, it’s weak, and it’s only going to offer a few little crumbly waves for the absolute beginners on a foam board.
After that, it’s back to the doldrums. From the 4th of August right through to the 9th, we’re looking at a total washout. Another long gap of almost a week with zero surfable energy. There’s a glimmer on the 7th of August with another 2 ft, 6-second easterly swell, but the wind is a moderate cross-shore, creating a chop. It’s just not worth the hassle.
The only other faint whisper comes right at the tail end of the forecast, around the 10th and 11th of August. We see a tiny 1 ft swell from the north-northeast, with a period of 3 seconds and energy of 2 or 3. The wind is offshore or cross-offshore, which is a nice touch, but the swell is so pathetic it’s barely a ripple. On the 12th of August, we get a similar 2 ft easterly pulse, but it’s onshore wind, so you can forget it.
So, what’s the bottom line? There is no standout session here. The best you’ll get is Monday the 3rd of August, with that small 2 ft easterly swell and a clean cross-offshore wind in the afternoon. For a beginner, it might be a laugh, but for anyone else, don’t expect to get your hair wet. The water is warm, but the surf is dead. It’s one of those blank runs that’s pretty normal for the area when the charts are this quiet. We’ll keep an eye on it, but for now, wax the longboard and wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 11 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | N 2 | ENE 3 | E 4 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 37 | 24 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:13PM3.31m | 7:35AM3.18m | 7:48PM3.53m | 8:09AM3.35m | 8:21PM3.71m | 8:42AM3.47m | 8:54PM3.82m | 9:15AM3.55m | 9:25PM3.86m | 9:47AM3.57m | 9:57PM3.83m | 10:20AM3.55m | 10:29PM3.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:17PM0.84m | 00:45AM0.70m | 12:53PM0.64m | 1:19AM0.50m | 1:26PM0.47m | 1:52AM0.33m | 1:58PM0.34m | 2:23AM0.20m | 2:30PM0.26m | 2:55AM0.12m | 3:03PM0.23m | 3:28AM0.10m | 3:39PM0.26m | ||||||||
5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 19 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 5 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | WSW 8 |
1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 37 | 15 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 11 | — | — | W 10 | — | W 10 | W 9 | — | W 11 | — | W 10 | — | — | — | W 8 | SW 9 | E 6 | E 5 |
2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 7 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 24 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | W 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 2 | WSW 2 | NNW 2 | — | SW 2 | NNW 3 | — | SW 2 | N 2 | ENE 3 | E 4 | — | — | SW 3 | SW 3 |
— | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | — | — | 2 | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 106 | 138 | 105 | 137 | 246 | 193 | 246 | 778 | 129 | 245 | 468 | 137 | 137 | 156 | 105 | 252 | 487 | 87 | 81 | 138 | 82 |
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.










