Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 4s period, SE swell with 11 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 0.6m 4s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s see what’s happening with the surf in Paignton.
Straight up, I’m looking at a full 16-day window and there’s just nothing to get excited about. The whole forecast is a flat spell. We’re talking zero swell energy (0) for the vast majority of the period, with just a couple of tiny, weak pulses that barely register. The first real chance of a wave doesn’t show up until the morning of the 13th, and even then it’s a sad little 1ft from the NE with a period of 3 seconds. That’s not surf, that’s a lake ripple. The combined energy on those rare moments is only 1 (weak), so there’s just no power in the water.
The water at Paignton is sitting at 66°F, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year… so at least it’ll be nice to float around in, even if you’re just bobbing.
The wind does blow offshore a fair bit in the first week, which is a tease—clean conditions, but with no swell to work with. That’s the frustrating part. The only two days with any measurable height are the 13th and 16th of September, but those swells are tiny, short-period scraps. The 13th offers a 1ft NE swell, and the 16th a 0.7ft NNE swell. Both are too weak to ride properly.
Given the lack of any real wave energy and the fact that Paignton is a fairly exposed beach break, this setup is more interesting for a kite surfer on a flat day than anyone looking to paddle into a wave.
So, honestly, I’d say park the board for the next two weeks. There’s nothing on the horizon. It’s a blank run, and pretty normal for this area when the charts look like this. Forecasts can change, but right now, there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Fri morning, calm by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Tue night, strong winds from the SW by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | WSW 7 | SW 7 | S 13 | SE 4 | SE 4 | E 4 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 4 | W 4 | W 3 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 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 | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 11:47AM3.19m | 00:14AM3.02m | 12:49PM2.94m | 1:32AM2.74m | 2:21PM2.80m | 3:26AM2.67m | 4:14PM2.93m | 5:08AM2.91m | 5:33PM3.27m | 6:10AM3.25m | 6:26PM3.63m | 6:56AM3.56m | 7:10PM3.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:26PM0.77m | 5:55AM0.94m | 6:37PM1.11m | 7:20AM1.24m | 8:31PM1.25m | 9:14AM1.26m | 10:11PM1.03m | 10:34AM1.00m | 11:13PM0.68m | 11:29AM0.67m | 00:00AM0.34m | 12:13PM0.37m | 00:41AM0.07m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | WSW 7 | W 12 | SW 7 | W 7 | SE 4 | E 4 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | W 10 |
| kJ | 4 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 38 | 55 | 27 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 10 | W 8 | W 11 | S 13 | W 10 | S 13 | W 8 | SSE 4 | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 14 | W 10 | W 14 | SW 13 | S 13 | W 10 | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 4 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | W 3 | WNW 3 | — | SW 7 | — | SE 4 | — | WSW 2 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 11 | WSW 4 | W 4 | W 3 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 6 |
| kJ | 60 | 5 | 3 | — | 7 | — | 7 | — | 1 | 22 | 7 | 18 | 117 | 23 | 17 | 8 | 14 | 29 | 108 | 72 | 44 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 44 | 246 | 29 | 29 | 88 | 81 | 84 | 126 | 104 | 246 | 64 | 163 | 246 | 246 | 246 | 170 | 296 | 286 | 115 | 274 | 131 |
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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