Paignton Surf Break

Lat Long: 50.43° N 3.56° W

Paignton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 05 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Paignton sea temperature is
19.2° C
2.6° 

Paignton surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


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 TypeTime (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 Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly 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
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
7
0.8
WSW
4
0.3
SW
6
0.3
SW
6
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
12
0.1
W
10
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
11
0.1
W
9
0.2
ESE
2
0.1
W
7
0.2
E
3
0.2
E
4
0.4
W
3
0.3
W
9
0.5
SW
3
0.2
WSW
6
0.3
ENE
3
0.4
E
3
0.6
ESE
4
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy 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)
30
WNW
25
W
20
W
15
NW
15
WNW
10
NW
5
NNE
20
SSW
10
NNW
10
ESE
10
SSE
10
NNW
10
NE
10
S
10
NW
15
WNW
10
W
15
NNW
15
ENE
10
SE
10
N
Wind State
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
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:46
5:48
5:48
5:50
5:52
5:54
5:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
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
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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