Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period, SE swell with 23 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 5s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s your local surf reporter Rusty, and I’ve got to be straight with you. Looking at the whole 16-day window for Paignton, it’s a tough stretch. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with barely a ripple for most of it. The only real pulse of energy comes right at the very start, and even that’s nothing to write home about.
We kick things off on Wednesday, 26 August, with a small, weak pulse. The morning sees a tiny 1ft easterly swell, with a short period of 5 seconds and combined energy of just 7 (weak). It’s cross-shore with a light breeze, but the report calls it “poor surf conditions” – just some small, rippled-out waves. That’s the best we’ve got, and it’s not saying much. By the afternoon, it drops even further to 1.0ft, with a cross-onshore wind chopping it up. The water temperature is about average for this time of year.
Thursday, 27 August, offers a slight bump. The morning brings a 3ft swell from the ESE, period still short at 5 seconds, but it’s pushing a combined energy of 42 (weak). The wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean enough, but again, the report says “poor surf conditions.” It’s small and weak. By afternoon, it’s back down to 1ft.
Then, from Friday, 28 August, right through to the morning of Thursday, 10 September, it’s flat. Zero swell, zero wave energy. That’s a solid gap of nearly two weeks with no surf to speak of. The wind blows onshore, offshore, and everything in between, but there’s simply no water moving. Even on the 9th of September, when we get a glassy morning, there’s nothing to ride.
Finally, on the morning of Thursday, 10 September, a tiny 2ft swell from the SE shows up with a period of 4 seconds and combined energy of 17 (weak). It’s cross-on, light wind, but still reported as “poor surf conditions.” It’s a glimpse of life, but not a wave worth paddling for.
So, there’s no standout here. The best on offer is that Thursday, 27 August morning, with a clean but weak 3ft wave. If you’re desperate, you could try it, but keep your expectations on the floor. This is a blank run, and for Paignton, it’s not unusual to see such a long gap. Forecasts can change, but for now, leave the board in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Wed night, fresh winds from the SSW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat morning, light winds from the SW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | ESE 4 | E 4 | SE 5 | S 5 | E 4 | SW 5 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SW 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 5 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 10 | SW 7 | SW 3 | SW 5 | WSW 3 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 7 | 4 | 15 | 23 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 9:18AM3.82m | 9:29PM3.96m | 9:51AM3.76m | 10:03PM3.83m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 2:41PM-0.03m | 3:02AM-0.12m | 3:16PM0.02m | 3:38AM0.01m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  | |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | SSW 4 | SW 7 | SE 5 | E 4 | E 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 10 | — | — | WSW 11 | — | WSW 10 | W 10 | — | — |
| kJ | 7 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | — | — | 12 | — | 10 | 2 | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | SW 7 | — | SW 6 | SW 8 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | W 9 | SW 4 | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 4 | E 4 | S 5 | S 5 | SW 7 | SW 5 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SW 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 5 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 10 | SW 7 | SW 3 | SW 5 | WSW 3 |
| kJ | — | 4 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 47 | 68 | 124 | 77 | 265 | 595 | 356 | 72 | 95 | 204 | 160 | 145 | 16 | 6 | 55 | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 228 | 482 | 296 | 138 | 138 | 378 | 476 | 88 | 574 | 326 | 64 | 194 | 279 | 771 | 163 | 64 | 104 | 193 | 296 | 130 |
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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