Surf Forecasts:
Paignton surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, E swell with 236 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paignton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Paignton in the next 16 days are 1.6m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paignton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, giving you the lowdown for Paignton. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – the next 16 days look totally flat for any real surf. There’s a big gap with no waves to speak of, and the few times something tries to build, it’s just not making the cut.
The first little pulse comes in on Sunday, the 11th of August. The swell bumps up a touch, but the wind is howling right onshore from the east at 15 mph, which is gonna mess it up. The combined energy is only 15, so it’s barely a bump. The biggest swell of the whole run shows up on Tuesday afternoon, the 13th, with a 5ft easterly swell and a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy hits 171, which is the one standout moment. But the wind is still straight onshore at 12 mph, so it’s gonna be choppy. For a beginner spot like Paignton (beginner), that’s too much wind and too much swell to be fun. The water temp is 66°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year.
After that, it’s flat city. From the 14th of August through the 23rd, there’s no swell at all – the combined energy reads zero for days. We get some clean offshore winds on the 18th and 20th, but with no swell, it’s just a smooth, glassy ocean. The best you might get is a tiny 1ft wave on the 21st of August, with a light cross-onshore breeze, but the energy is only 3. Not worth your time.
If you’re really itching to get wet, the Tuesday afternoon on the 13th is the only time the ocean has any push, but it’s not a surfer’s wave. That onshore wind and bumpy sea looks way more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. For the rest of us, it’s a long flat spell. Stay patient, things can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 2 | SE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | W 11 | E 4 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | N 3 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 101 | 173 | 171 | 75 | 34 | 31 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:27PM2.90m | 3:14AM2.81m | 4:11PM2.97m | 5:03AM2.93m | 5:39PM3.25m | 6:17AM3.22m | 6:39PM3.61m | 7:11AM3.51m | 7:27PM3.92m | 7:56AM3.73m | 8:10PM4.12m | 8:36AM3.86m | 8:49PM4.19m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:38PM1.12m | 9:20AM1.06m | 10:08PM0.97m | 10:36AM0.88m | 11:16PM0.67m | 11:36AM0.61m | 00:10AM0.35m | 12:25PM0.35m | 00:57AM0.08m | 1:09PM0.14m | 1:39AM-0.09m | 1:50PM0.03m | 2:18AM-0.15m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — |
 | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 28 | 28 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 27 | 25 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 7 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | — | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | W 12 | W 10 | WSW 10 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 5 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 34 | 31 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | — | W 7 | W 6 | S 12 | SW 4 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | SW 6 | W 6 | — | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 10 | — | W 8 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 8 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 2 | — | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 7 | SW 12 | SW 6 | — | — | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 7 | — | — | W 13 | WSW 11 | SW 8 | E 4 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 8 | 8 | 1 | — | — | 14 | 12 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 2 | SE 3 | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | E 4 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | — | — | WSW 4 | WNW 3 | — | — | N 3 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 101 | 173 | 171 | 75 | — | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 257 | 207 | 135 | 245 | 499 | 132 | 129 | 135 | 135 | 252 | 487 | 81 | 156 | 82 | 29 | 30 | 156 | 116 | 116 | 289 | 136 |
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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