Torbay Paddleboarding Planner
Weather, wind and temperature in Torbay right now and forecasted for paddleboarding
Welcome to our Torbay Paddleboarding planner, a tool to better plan your paddle when you're visiting the best paddleboarding waters in the UK! live feed from windy.app
For the avoidance of doubt the decision to go onto the water remains your responsibility, but we have provided a number of links to help you check the conditions before you decide where to go!
General Guidance
1. Where you want to paddle and where it's safe to paddle are two very different things - You should dress for the water temperature and conditions and ensure you are kitted out appropriately - buoyancy aid, ankle leash or ideally quick release waist leash, whistle and a mobile phone in a waterproof case or a VHF radio
2. The wind in Torbay: If the wind arrows are pointing from the west to the east (left to right across the screen) then you will likely experience what are known as "offshore winds" - they blow off the shore and out to sea. They are a common cause of RNLI lifeboat rescues in the UK.
3. The tides in Torbay - It's not as simple as 'in-and-out' from the beach. The Bay is shaped like a squared-off letter 'C' so as the tide rises and falls currents are established as water in the bay move and interacts with the rising tide flowing past Berry Head (Brixham) towards Hope's Nose (Torquay) on it's way up the the English Channel. (and the reverse as it is falling). Currents are less strong in the South-East corner between Fishcombe Cove and Goodrington beach and tend to move in the northern half of the Bay in a clockwise motion off Paignton and Torquay. Currents are strongest East of Brixham and around the two main headlands Berry Head and Thatcher's Point/ Hope's Nose.
4. The warm temperatures in Torbay are always welcome but can cause complacency and be a dangerous contributor to accidents. Warm sunshine does not equal warm water especially in early spring. Dress for the water not the air - and stay hydrated.
5. Beach webcams can give you a good benchmark of the overall sea conditions in Torbay but be aware that offshore winds can make the sea appear calm so always pay attention to the wind map and be prepared to change locations if it is not what you are expecting on arrival .
Where are good paddleboard launch locations in Torbay?
Launching from the harbours in Torbay is a bit of a no-no from a safety perspective, however you can launch from nearby beaches with the benefit that you can plan your paddle so you do not need to cross a harbour mouth. More information is available from the Torbay Harbour Authority Paddleboard Guidance
There are many great places to launch your paddleboard in Torbay.
To make it easier for you to decide we have shared our favourite beaches starting from just North of Torbay following the bay in an anti-clockwise direction from Torquay to Preston, to Paignton, to Brixham.
The best beaches to launch your paddleboard in Torquay are;
Paddleboard at Maidencombe Beach facilities include steep steps down to beach, Paid Car Park, Café with toilet.
Paddleboard at Oddicombe beach facilities include an amazing Cliff Railway or not so amazing long steep road access. Check the weather right now at oddicombe beach and if that’s good you can drive down and drop your kit at the bottom and park back up on the clifftop (or free parking in the winter) Cafe, fresh water shower and toilet facilities.
Paddleboard at Babbacombe Beach facilities include a long very steep road access, which can be accessed on foot from Oddicombe Beach, Pub
Paddleboard at Anstey’s Cove facilities include short steep access from paid car park descends into a suntrap cove with promenade and a SUP inflation station attached to the café.
Paddleboard at Meadfoot Beach facilities include a steep shingle beach, steep steps from paid car park, limited free on road parking with slipway access also steep steps to beach, Café, freshwater showers toilets. You can check the weather right now at Meadfoot Beach using the nearby holiday apartments webcam.
Paddleboard at Beacon Cove facilities include steep steps to pebble beach, rocky to open water (avoids harbour mouth for routes toward london bridge rock arch, meadfoot beach)
Paddleboard at Abbey Sands facilities include street parking just a pavement away from a gently sloping sandy beach, freshwater shower, cafe, toilets
The best beaches to launch your paddleboard in Preston (in between Torquay and Paignton) are;
Paddleboard at Hollicombe Beach facilities include Free (timed) on road parking and a short walk through park, through the railway tunnel then down a short concrete slope to the beach. There are no other facilities here.
Paddleboard at Preston Sands facilities include sloping sandy beach, freshwater showers, cafes, good surf in an easterly wind.
The best beaches to launch your paddleboard in Paignton and Brixham are coming soon;
Give us a call on 01803362067 if you are looking for more information on paddleboarding in Torbay?