Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, E swell with 58 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.0m 5s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a rough start. The first week is a real bust. From Wednesday the 5th right through to Sunday the 10th of August, there’s not a single wave worth paddling for at Paignton. The ocean is flat, flat, flat. You’ll see some glassy mornings and clean afternoons, but without a lick of swell, it’s just a pretty face on a flat lake. That’s a solid six-day gap with nothing to ride.
Things finally try to wake up on Tuesday the 11th, but it’s a tease. We get a tiny 2 ft swell from the east, but with a period of only 3 seconds – that’s pure wind chop, no grunt. The wind is cross-onshore too, making it messy. The combined energy is just a weak 5 to 6 (5-6). It’s still poor surf conditions, so don’t get your hopes up.
Wednesday the 12th brings a bit more size, with a 4 ft swell from the east-southeast and a period of 6 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 77 (77) – still weak, but at least it’s something. Again, the cross-onshore wind (15 km/h from the NE) keeps it choppy and poor. Not worth a session.
Thursday the 13th sees a drop back to 0.7 ft, and the rest of the week from the 14th to the 20th of August goes completely flat again. There’s nothing on the horizon. There’s a glassy morning on the 20th, but with no swell, it’s just a pond.
Honestly, for this 16-day run, there is not one standout. Not one. For a beginner spot like Paignton that’s inconsistent at the best of times, a blank run like this isn’t totally out of the ordinary, but it’s still a bummer. The forecasts can change, but right now, you’re better off waxing the longboard and waiting for a better window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 7 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | S 12 | S 12 | W 10 | S 12 | S 11 | W 9 | ESE 2 | W 7 | E 3 | E 4 | W 3 | W 9 | SW 3 | WSW 6 | ENE 3 | E 3 | ESE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 15 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 11:32AM3.35m | 11:44PM3.39m | 12:15PM3.19m | 00:33AM3.16m | 1:11PM3.02m | 1:39AM2.93m | 2:27PM2.90m | 3:14AM2.81m | 4:11PM2.97m | 5:03AM2.93m | 5:39PM3.25m | 6:17AM3.22m | 6:39PM3.61m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:00PM0.55m | 5:29AM0.54m | 5:52PM0.79m | 6:26AM0.81m | 7:02PM1.03m | 7:46AM1.04m | 8:38PM1.12m | 9:20AM1.06m | 10:08PM0.97m | 10:36AM0.88m | 11:16PM0.67m | 11:36AM0.61m | 00:10AM0.35m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | S 13 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | SW 5 | SW 5 | W 9 | — | W 9 | W 8 | — | E 3 | E 4 | — | WSW 6 | W 8 | SW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | — |
| kJ | 29 | 3 | 6 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 11 | S 12 | — | W 10 | S 12 | W 6 | W 5 | — | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | — | — | — | WSW 6 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 12 | — | S 12 | — | SW 6 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | S 12 | — | W 9 | — | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 14 | — | 2 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | WSW 4 | WNW 3 | — | SW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 2 | — | — | W 2 | W 3 | — | SW 3 | — | ENE 3 | E 3 | ESE 4 |
| kJ | 5 | 17 | 3 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 4 | — | 2 | 3 | 15 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 64 | 246 | 193 | 279 | 524 | 290 | 412 | 417 | 450 | 258 | 156 | 228 | 130 | 156 | 245 | 137 | 137 | 137 | 135 | 482 | 137 |
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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