Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, E swell with 368 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it.
Honestly mate, it’s a tough run ahead for Paignton. Over the next 16 days, there’s barely a ripple worth paddling for. The first few days throw up some lumpy, short-period windswell, but the conditions are sketchy at best, and after that, the ocean just flatlines for over a week straight.
We start on Monday the 24th of August with a 8ft E swell, but the period is a weak 7 seconds and the wind is howling onshore at 22 mph from the east. That’s all chop and no shape. The combined swell energy is moderate at 509, but with that wind, it’s a complete write-off – poor surf conditions, no score. Tuesday the 25th isn’t much better: 6ft dropping to 4ft, still short period (6-7 secs), moderate cross-onshore breeze, messy. Wave energy drops fast (280 then 123). Wednesday the 26th sees the swell die completely – 1ft then 0.7ft, barely a bump. By Thursday morning the 27th, we get a brief glimmer of hope: a clean 2ft SE swell with cross-offshore wind, but it’s tiny, period is only 5 seconds, and energy is weak at 22. It’s rideable for a longboard if you’re desperate, but nothing to get excited about.
From Friday the 28th right through to the end of the forecast on Tuesday the 8th of September, the swell height shows dashes – that means flat. Over a week and a half of zeros. The wind is often clean or offshore, but there’s nothing to ride. It’s a total blank run. For a spot like Paignton, which is already inconsistent, this stretch of flat weather is unfortunately normal for the area. The water temperature is 67°F, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, but you won’t feel it if you’re not in the water.
So, no standout days, no true options at all. The first recommendation that pops up is basically nothing worth mentioning. If you’re a surfer, save your energy. The setup is more interesting for a swim than a paddle.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Mon afternoon, light winds from the NE by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Thu night, fresh winds from the SSW by Sun morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | E 4 | E 4 | SE 5 | E 5 | SSW 8 | SSW 6 | SW 7 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | SE 6 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 509 | 448 | 280 | 123 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:20PM2.72m | 5:54AM2.70m | 6:12PM3.04m | 6:36AM2.99m | 6:49PM3.35m | 7:11AM3.27m | 7:22PM3.63m | 7:43AM3.50m | 7:54PM3.84m | 8:15AM3.68m | 8:26PM3.97m | 8:47AM3.79m | 8:57PM4.01m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:13PM1.23m | 11:24AM1.13m | 11:53PM0.94m | 12:01PM0.85m | 00:27AM0.64m | 12:33PM0.58m | 00:58AM0.36m | 1:05PM0.34m | 1:28AM0.13m | 1:36PM0.15m | 1:58AM-0.04m | 2:08PM0.02m | 2:29AM-0.13m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | |  | | |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 9 | SW 13 | SW 9 | SSW 8 | E 5 | E 5 | S 4 | SSW 7 | SE 5 | E 5 | — | W 10 | — | — | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 7 |
| kJ | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 4 | — | 2 | — | — | 28 | 10 | 51 | 46 | 96 | 17 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SW 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | E 4 | SW 4 | — | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | — | — | W 12 |
| kJ | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 59 | 3 | 4 | — | — | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 | S 13 | W 10 | W 9 | SW 7 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | SSE 3 | S 4 | — | E 4 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 8 | SSW 6 | SW 7 | WSW 4 | — | — | — | — | SW 8 | SSW 3 |
| kJ | 509 | 448 | 280 | 123 | 3 | 3 | — | 13 | 12 | 47 | 72 | 107 | 135 | 58 | — | — | — | — | 46 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 215 | 193 | 105 | 89 | 85 | 87 | 87 | 220 | 220 | 30 | 29 | 13 | 193 | 292 | 138 | 193 | 56 | 547 | 450 | 441 |
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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